Boystown Rally Draws Hundreds, Organizers Not Satisfied with IL

Hundreds of Chicagoans rallied in Boystown Wednesday night in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s pro-LGBT equality rulings, but those who took the stage say they’re not stopping here.

The Day of Decision rally took over the corner of Halsted and Roscoe streets in the heart of Chicago’s LGBT community, organized just minutes after the court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act was deemed unconstitutional. It was followed by the dismissal of a challenge to California’s Proposition 8.

People shouted, cheered and hugged as, one after another, speakers took the stage.

But one common theme was clear: while presenters agreed the ruling on both DOMA and Prop 8 are enormous strides in the right direction, they say there’s no stopping until Illinois—along with every state—are granted the full marriage equality.

“This is a significant ruling and something that we should all be proud of and celebrate,” said Rick Garcia, Policy Director and Director of the Equal Marriage Illinois Project. “But we are still painfully aware here in Illinois (that we do not have full marriage equality). … If we want it, we’ve got to do it. We’ve got to hold all (the politicians’) feet to the fire.”

He’s speaking about earlier this year when the Illinois House of Representatives failed to vote to approve marriage equality. 

That's why they've organized the March on Chicago, scheduled for July 13 at 1 p.m. Organizers want supporters to help march downtown at Michigan Avenue and Congress Parkway to show Illinois officials they mean business.

Wednesday's rally was followed by a march throughout Lake View where hundreds participated by shouting and cheering down the streets. The solid stream of supporters filled the roadway, escorted by police.