Though Chicago Archbishop Cardinal Francis George apologized last month for a contentious remark that compared LGBT activists to the Ku Klux Klan, gay groups still plan to protest his "continuing campaign against LGBT rights."
Chicago's Gay Liberation Network recently announced their "Freedom to Marry Day" protest, slated to take place at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 12 in front of Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State Street, in Chicago.
Some LGBT activists have rejected George's apology for his contentious KKK remark, including one protester at a separate protest outside Holy Name Cathedral who last month called the apology "completely insufficient" and "not from the heart."
As the Windy City Times reported, while George said he was "deeply sorry for the hurt that my remarks have brought to the hearts of gays and lesbians and their families," some activists have taken issue with his claim that the comment was "motivated by fear for the Church's liberty."
In a news release, the Gay Liberation Network said that comment was "patently absurd."
"What is true is that Cardinal George and the Church leadership internationally have used their considerable influence to try to stop civil rights for LGBTs."
The group further contends that the cardinal "has opposed every advance for LGBT rights in Chicago, in Cook County, and across the state -- largely without success."
While LGBT activists are organizing their protest against the cardinal, pro-life activists used their annual SpeakOut Illinois "unity and training conference" last week to honor George with an award -- the Henry Hyde Life Leadership Award -- on Saturday in suburban Oak Brook.
According to the Pro-Life Action League blog, George "spoke of the attacks on freedom of religion emanating from all levels the government and urged the faithful to resist them" after receiving the award.
The conference was, according to Illinois Review, attended by elected officials including Tea Party darling U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.), State Senator Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora) and State Rep. Chris Nybo (R-Lombard).
While George formally resigned from his post as Chicago Archbishop as of his 75th birthday last month, he is expected to remain in the position for at least the next two to three years.
WATCH a report on the cardinal's resignation: