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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Thousands marched on Illinois’s state capital on Tuesday, Oct. 22, to demand the passage of the marriage equality bill that has waited since May 31 for a House vote.
Media reported that 3,000 people marched while organizers said that 5,000 had come to Springfield. The State Journal-Register reported that a march by marriage opponents the next day numbered 2,500. Speakers at Tuesday’s included Gov. Pat Quinn, Comptroller Judy Baar-Topinka, Bishop Carlton Pearson, Art Johnston, Vernita Gray, Andy Thayer and many more. Quite a few members of Chicago’s bear and leather communities also made the trip down to participate.
The state Senate passed the marriage equality bill before the end of the legislative session in May and Quinn has sworn to sign it. Every major newspaper in the state has endorsed the passage and polls have shown that majority of the state’s residents support marriage equality, including Republicans and Catholics.
