Chicago mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel
has urged Illinois lawmakers to legalize gay marriage, the Chicago
Sun-Times reported.
Emanuel, who resigned as White House
chief of staff in September to run for the post after Chicago Mayor
Richard M. Daley announced he wouldn't seek a seventh term, pledged
his support for gay rights – including marriage – on Friday.
Emanuel made his remarks during an
event at the city's Center on Halsted, which serves the gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender community.
He praised Illinois lawmakers for
approving last month a bill that recognizes gay couples with civil
unions, but added that “the march goes on to marriage.” Illinois
Governor Pat Quinn will sign the bill into law on Monday.
The event was attended by leaders of
some of the city's largest gay organizations and the state's four
openly gay elected officials.
Announced at the event was the LGBT
Committee for Rahm.
Committee organizer Mona Noriega called
Emanuel “a proven friend to our community.”
“We have an excellent champion in
Rahm Emanuel,” Robert Kohl, co-founder of the Center on Halsted,
said.
The committee has attracted more than
200 members and has scheduled a February 11 fund-raiser.