A day after supporters of same-sex marriage rallied at the Illinois Capitol, opponents had their turn. Thousands gathered at the statehouse Wednesday, urging the Illinois House to uphold traditional marriage. IPR’s Amanda Vinicky reports:
The event started with a prayer ...
"Let us pray ... Oh God, you who are true love ..."
Led by Monsignor Carl Kemme, of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield.
"We know that it is from the beginning that you desire that man and woman should be joined in a union; body, heart and soul ... may our elected officials here and elsewhere know the weight of their responsibilities and their duty to safeguard in law this institution ordained by God."
Many of the speakers cited religion as the reason they oppose allowing gays and lesbians to marry.
Others ... like Republican Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale, gave another reasons.
"It says it is the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act ... but that title is misleading ... that bill is unconstitutional."
Dillard, who's running for governor, may also have political reasons for his stance, as he seeks to boost his conservative credentials in a four-way primary. The same-sex marriage legislation has stalled in the Illinois House; its sponsor is non-committal when asked if he'll call it for a vote during the fall veto session.