Illinois Gay Marriage Protest: Mike Madigan's Office Site Of Marriage Equality Rally

Story by Kate Sosin, courtesy Windy City Times:

A hastily organized protest against Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan may have been sparsely attended, but the demonstration attracted much attention June 15.

About 18 people attended the rainy mid-day protest, held outside of Madigan's district office in Chicago's West Lawn neighborhood. The demonstration intended put heat on Madigan after the Illinois House adjourned without voting on a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage May 31. LGBTs have partially blamed Madigan, stating that the speaker did not use his power to influence support within the Democratic Caucus.

"The notion that state reps. vote their conscience is as ludicrous as saying most Chicago aldermen vote their conscience," said Gay Liberation Network co-founder Andy Thayer. "Mike Madigan put his finger to the wind and decided that the anti-gay bigots are more mobilized."

Read the whole story here.