Gay/Lesbian Protest in Chicago Photo Gallery by Tami at pbase.com

Gay/Lesbian Protest in Chicago

On March 4, 2004, several Gay/Lesbian couples and activist went to Chicago's City Hall to obtain marriage licenses to become legally married in the state of Illinois. They were met with loud anti-gay protesters. They were also met with a letter from David Orr stating they were not allowed to apply for a license. They marched through the streets chanting "Gay,Straight,Black,White...Legal marriage is our Right".

I just happened to have my camera with me that day. Dressed in heels and a skirt I began to take pictures.

Comments are welcome, however those that advocate violence will be deleted.
Derogatory comments will be deleted also, some of you went too far.

If you want to debate the matter feel free.

Anti-Gay Sign	Media frenzy	Anti-gay demonstrators
::	Acceptance
	Possible International Love Connection	Andy Thayer - protest leader
First to Apply	Not Allowed	March through the building
:	Authority	Hopeful Couples
Cute Ham	Hopeful Brides	Another Hopeful Bride
Fight for Equality	Cute couple	:
:	:	Very Disturbing
Vote Out Bush	She ain't no punk	Local Politician Campaigning
Other Issues	Denied	:
:	Off to see David	:
Where's David	:	:
Let me explain........	Interview with Channel Two	:
Anti-gay Demonstrator	Local News Personality John Garcia

comment |

Sherma		15-Mar-2011 14:36
Legal battles should be based on law, not doctrine or religion. Marriage would have no reason for legal sanctions beyond the parameters of any contractual agreements between two parties; except that these two parties can produce an innocent life which would require protection and representation. Gays don't have the ability to accidentally bring life into the world. If they were to create a family, it would have to be "planned." Gay families begin in a legal system anyway so there is no need for government involvement or protection, this union is the same as any non marital legal contract.

Rose		24-Feb-2010 18:01
First of all, this is not an issue about equality. Furthermore, it saddens me that our constitution and courthouses are being abused in this manner. Marriage should only take place between a man and a woman. Period. Homosexuality is a disease, a physiological, biological, or possibly spiritual imbalance, and instead of trying to force society into accepting it as anything other than the disease or illness that it is, why don't we focus on trying to cure it instead? What's next, society being forced into accepting bestiality? There is absolutely nothing normal about same sex relationships.

Guest		20-May-2009 23:33
Hi I may be young,but I do know a thing about gays and lesbians I have many friends that are. I am not one that is gay or lesbian, but I think if they want to get married they can. Just because it may not be between a man an women doesnt mean they dont have the same feelings as a man an women about marriage. I do not read the bible, but I do know one thing about it all the acts it says that are supposably sins ya...Im sure many people created them. people killed gays and lesbians because they didnt like them, thats like a sin. the bible does not actually say a man an women should be married. People that read the bible needs to look up the meanings because not everyone knows german an Hebrew and you should research what the qoutes actually mean before you say the bible says this ...The bible was made a long time ago how do you know somone hasnt changed the words by now how do you know anything real has happend in there you werent there. Well just had to say that because believe what you want . ...but i guess you will find out when you pass away.

wickedcruz		07-Dec-2008 22:21
thank u for images....they r truly art..............

Eldar Kadymov		10-Aug-2006 13:07
They demonstrated exreme creativity in Israel whereas some ethnic origins cannot get married to people of Jewish nationality on the land of Israel as it's against their religion. Which is fine, custom is custom, what you gonna do ?! So what these fellas did was they packed the ship with all these mixed guys and gals and get them married on the board outside the Israeli soil , LOL ! So, my point is to kinda releave the pressure on both parties and use this amazing initiative to make everybody happy, I mean "rights" and "lefts" ! Just pack the bark with all those who want to get married, sail in to Chicago river and give them their licences, hallilujah !

Guest		30-May-2006 01:27
Gee, God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve!

Andrea		02-Dec-2005 01:45
can I PLEASE use some of your photos for a gay marriage speech? I'm pro rights and you have amazing photos. I hope you see this before TUESDAY Dec 6th.

backinthecloset		25-Jun-2005 23:19
Gay diseases are not family values either.

Ian		30-Jan-2005 07:51
Just a short comment on the following post. It is true that 50% of the country (US) is against Bush. However, there are several billions people on this planet. Majority of people outside of US are againt Bush. That is the reason that 95% of the Pbase community is against him. -------------------------------- From: W. Tracy Parnell Date: 09-Oct-2004 00:36 Tami 50% of the country is against Bush but it seems like 95% of the Pbase community is against him. I guess that's not your fault though. I won't "debate" here since this is not really a debate site. You can stop by my site if you want to do that. As for "what is good about Bush" here is one good story that not many would argue about: http://www.pbase.com/wtracyparnell/image/34163594

L		05-Jan-2005 02:07
As a christian, I must admit that those pictures are pretty embarrassing (did I spell that right?) and I want to say that, not ALL christians are like that. I'm not! I try my best to live for God and love EVERYONE, not just straight people or any other sect of people. The anti-gay protestors are right in the fact that homosexuality is a sin (i mean, no offense, but the bible DOES clearly state that), but that doesn't mean that we can go around with a "high, all-mighty attitude",believe me, of all people I should o better than anyone, christian or no, but I have asked for forgiveness. God loves everyone, but that does not mean he will accept or tolerate any sin. Lying or stealing is just as bad as commiting sexual sin against God and that's also fornication and adultery. I'm sorry, I know this isn't a religious board, but I just had to try and explain this as best I could. I'm no preacher, but I want everyone to know that there is a God and he loves them, even in their sin, but he also requires repentance!

Tami		09-Oct-2004 17:38
Tracy , You have to remember that Pbase is, like Blu said, more than the U.S. Also, Pbase is an artistic community. We are all artist or have artistic natures. Artist are liberal. Bush is conservitive. Tami

Guest		09-Oct-2004 00:36
Tami 50% of the country is against Bush but it seems like 95% of the Pbase community is against him. I guess that's not your fault though. I won't "debate" here since this is not really a debate site. You can stop by my site if you want to do that. As for "what is good about Bush" here is one good story that not many would argue about: http://www.pbase.com/wtracyparnell/image/34163594

Tami		08-Oct-2004 19:59
Tracy, Like you said, I show both sides, that’s what was there. There is only ONE picture that I personally put a negative spin on. The one where the guy who says Jesus loves you but has a wonderful place for your life in hell. He IS a right-wing nut case as you put it. I probably should change that one and not call him the Anti-Christ. I am wrong for that. Again, Tracy, the anti-Bush sentiment was the tone of the demonstration and I would not take down the ONE anti-Bush picture because that is how the demonstrators felt. Chicago may be large, but people like you did not show up at that rally. They probably did not want to be lumped in with the nut cases. There was a man there that said that all gays should be hung from trees. You know that ain't right. Plus, how many gays do you know who like Bush? Okay, you do have a group of gay republicans but of course they are the minority. They're probably mad at him also about the gay marriage issue. Since you don't believe in gay-marriages you need to go to these rallies and make sure the right-wing, minus the nut cases, is represented. Don't be upset with me because I took pictures of what was there. People, for the most part, who do not believe in this war are anti-Bush. People, for the most part, who believe in same sex marriages are anti-Bush. Those are the demonstrations I photographed, those are the signs that are going to show up at these types of rallies. If there is a pro-Bush demonstration in Chicago, let me know, I will photograph it and post it. You have to remember one thing, the country is not Pro-Bush, only 50%, so there are going to be some pro-Kerry signs there also. ALL pictures will make it to my gallery. I asked you if we could chit-chat, you said you did not want to debate. However, you keep leaving messages in my galleries. AND SO WHAT if it has an anti-Bush undertone. 50% of the COUNTRY is anti-Bush. That is a point you don't seem to get Tracy. Explain to me why Bush is so great. I am not hearing that from you. Oh yeah, you didn't want to debate. I am HONESTYLY still on the fence about who I am going to vote for. Right now Ralph Nader is looking better and better.

Guest		08-Oct-2004 15:58
Tami Another political gallery with an anti-Bush undertone. You do show the other side but only in a negitive manner. I know there are people who oppose gay marriage who do not advocate violence or who are not right-wing nut cases because I am one of them. But even in a large city like Chicago you could not find one to represent the other side.

Michele Rodgers		21-Sep-2004 11:51
Great job of capturing the atmosphere of the protest. This is going on in many cities world wide. It is becoming clearer how religion is being used to push "hate" on our socities. Very sad. Sometimes "love" just seems to be lost these days. I hope the "battle" for equality is soon won.

Don Case		19-Sep-2004 06:39
Thank you for this gallery, Tami! Missy

Chuck Lantz		06-Sep-2004 17:30
Great work, Tami. Here's a link to some photos on the same subject from the West Coast: http://www.pbase.com/chucklantz/san_francisco_same_sex_marriage_event_photos

EMangl		05-Sep-2004 13:33
an austrian politician said a few weeks ago: homosexual couples are worthless for society; telling you this that you see that worldwide are narrowminded sapients have the saying

Guest		30-Jun-2004 12:38
Well done Tami. I am a gay Canadian, and am licensed to perform weddings in Ontario. It saddens me still how many gay American couples I marry at Toronto City Hall simply because their own home city/state/country will not grant them equality. Still, I welcome them and applaud them all.

Jude Marion		25-Jun-2004 05:07
Tami, these are FANTASTIC shots! You have a wonderful journalistic eye! Reall well done!

Guest		21-Apr-2004 12:34
Maybe you should consider photo journalism,these shots need no words,excellent! Lynda Reneau

Guest		06-Apr-2004 23:40
Good work with some impromptu photojournalism! Looks like you were right in the thick of it. Keep your eyes peeled for more street theater. The world is a wacky place.

Krystyna Baumac		06-Apr-2004 00:30
Tami, you're a trully gifted paparazzo!! Those are really great pictures! Have you ever considered becoming a photo-journalist? You have such a touch for the irony of life, and those photos are so dynamic that viewing them one is unconsciously waiting when they will spring out of the computer screen. Congratulations and best wishes for the future! Krystyna

Charles Mortel		01-Apr-2004 20:20
I think these photos are great. They are really strong compositionaly. It might have been the overcast day that washed out some of the color saturation. I think there was only one picture that might have been over sharpened, but that's just a guess. If you were shooting RAW, you should be able to balance the indoor shot for incandescant, so the lights look white. Then again, that might detract from the picture, but it's worth looking into. You were definitely at the right place, at the right time.

Guest		31-Mar-2004 13:38
Beautiful photos :)

Missy		12-Mar-2004 06:58
Tami, you took the message and sent it loud and clear. I felt like i was right there with everyone...Great Job! Hugz, Missy

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