Opponent of a proposed gay marriage
bill gathered Wednesday in Springfield.
The so-called “Defend Marriage Lobby
Day” attracted an estimated 2,500 demonstrators to the Illinois
capitol a day after lawmakers reconvened for the short fall session.
(Related: Gay
marriage advocates turn focus to Illinois as fall session opens.)
The rally was organized by the Illinois
Family Institute (IFI). Speakers at the event included state
Senators Jim Oberweis and Kirk Dillard, both Republicans, IFI
Director David Smith, Americans for Truth about Homosexuality
President Peter LaBarbera and Bishop Larry Trotter of Sweet Holy
Spirit Baptist Church.
Marriage equality supporters are
lobbying for the House to follow the Senate's lead and approve the
measure in the next two weeks. But despite holding an overwhelming
majority in the House, Democrats appear likely to table the issue
until early next year, after the threat of primary challengers has
passed.
“Hopefully, we will continue to be
able to keep this from passage,” Smith told BuzzFeed.
“I don't think [House members] have an appetite for it. Most
lawmakers do not want to vote for this. Whether they are leaning
yes, or leaning no, most do not want to even vote on this.”
“We want to challenge our elected
officials that we do not want same-sex marriage in the state of
Illinois,” Trotter
told the crowd. “We don't want the moral fiber of America to
go down wasted because we've gone against the will, plan and the word
of God.”
Jim Finnegan, an IFI board member, said
that he had nothing against gay people, whom he later described as
“deviant, disease-filled.”
Linda Jernigan, an “ex-gay”
activist, told the crowd that “All we need to do is send the
homosexuals to Jesus.”
Marriage is “not a civil right,”
she added
A
popular sign at the gathering included stick figures of a woman
and a man holding hands with two children along with the caption “God
Doesn't Make Mistakes.”