Gay Activists to Picket IL Rep. Greg Harris, Demand Vote on Marriage Equality Bill

Illlinois LGBT activist group Gay Liberation Network is planning to picket Rep. Greg Harris, the lead sponsor of the marriage equality bill pending in the state legislature, on Saturday.

The group's demand: "a party-line vote in favor of the bill by the Democratic Caucus, which holds a super-majority in Illinois's House of Representatives.

Writes the group, via press release:

GLN has been unique in publicly targeting the Democratic caucus, and especially House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago), for the failure of the bill, SB10, during the spring session and its uncertain fate in the current session.

"Because Speaker Madigan is so powerful, controlling access to jobs and contracts, most organizations are afraid to take him on and bluntly place blame where it's due," said GLN co-founder Andy Thayer. "Madigan controls the House as surely as Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel controls the City Council. When Madigan has wanted a party-line vote for far less popular measures, like gifts to the wealthy and well-connected, he's had no problem ramming them through the House. Like it or not, and mostly not, that's the way that politics works in this state."

Unlike pension "reform" and subsidies to already wealthy businesses that pay few, if any taxes, legislation favoring equal marriage rights in Illinois is overwhelmingly popular, with proponents outnumbering opponents by a nearly 2-to-1 margin, according to a February Crain's Chicago Business poll.

The protest is scheduled for 2 PM, Saturday, October 26 in front of Harris's district office, 1967 W. Montrose Avenue, Chicago.

Additionally, the Illinois Unites coalition has launched a three-day petition drive asking for a vote.

On Tuesday, after the March on Springfield, GLN unfurled a banner in the Capitol Building rotunda demanding SB10 be passed.