Politics & Government

DOMA Struck Down, Day of Decision Rally Planned for Boystown

The ban on federally recognizing same-sex marriage was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, so Chicago supporters are planning a huge rally in Boystown Wednesday night. California's Prop 8 was also undone.

By Andy Ambrosius

The U.S. Supreme Court has officially struck down a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act banning federal recognition of same-sex marriage, and Chicago is already planning a celebration in Boystown.

The LGBT community and its supporters are slated to gather at the corner of Halsted and Roscoe streets Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for the Day of Decision rally. The event will begin with a short rally, followed by a march, and is sponsored by the Gay Liberation Network, ChicagoPride.com reports.

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It’s in response to the court ruling that DOMA is unconstitutional as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons, protected by the Fifth Amendment, SCOTUS blog reports.

“(SCOTUS) decision is a major step forward in the ongoing fight to ensure that government won’t discriminate and will treat all love equally,” Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel tweeted. “…This decision should strengthen our commitment in IL toward ensuring that the life-long commitments of all Americans are honored.”

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The Supreme Court also dismissed a challenge to California’s Prop 8 which banned same-sex marriage in the state. The decision will likely mean same-sex marriage will resume in California.

"This is one of the most important days in the history of our movement for LGBT civil rights," said Rick Garcia, Policy Director and Director of the Equal Marriage Illinois Project for The Civil Rights Agenda, told ChicagoPride.com. "Although we are thrilled with the ruling, we are painfully cognizant that in Illinois same-gender couples still cannot be married and we must change that immediately. The Illinois House of Representatives must act as soon as possible."

And longtime LGBT-supporter U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) said today's ruling is a "tremendous victory" for the community, but Illinois still must continue to fight for its own rights.

“With more to celebrate than ever this Pride Month, we must not forget that the fight for equality is far from over," Quigley said in a statement. "We must strengthen our resolve and continue our fight for justice, until the day when all loving and committed couples have the fundamental right to marry the person they hold closest in their hearts.”


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