Wed. November 6, 2013
Chicago, IL -
The excitement over passage of Senate Bill 10 quickly spread in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood, where Sidetrack hosted a community celebration on Tuesday night.
"We were not prepared to have this many visitors on a Tuesday night," joked Sidetrack's Brad Balof.
Nearly 300 people packed the popular bar, which is co-owned by long-time gay rights activist Art Johnston. The crowd participated in a champagne toast hosted by Sidetrack and Equality Illinois. Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a strong advocate of marriage equality, was on hand for the celebration.
A number of gay and lesbian couples took the opportunity to get engaged Tuesday night at Sidetrack and throughout the state.
Same-sex couples will be able to apply for marriage licenses on June 1, 2014.
Related: Illinois House approves marriage equality bill
Happy to find these two in the crowd tonight at Sidetrack #IL4M http://gopride.com/Z9bq— Brian Cassella (@briancassella) November 6, 2013
Impromptu celebration brings everyone out to @sidetrackbar #IL4M See you soon. pic.twitter.com/PwIdhMz11l— Sidetrack Chicago (@sidetrackbar) November 6, 2013
Chicago's mayor @RahmEmanuel stops by @sidetrackbar on this historic night for marriage equality pic.twitter.com/sOvaD7lqGR— Jim Perry (@jasperrycom) November 6, 2013
Are the TV trucks waiting to Valet? pic.twitter.com/CHcAJNfJvU— Sidetrack Chicago (@sidetrackbar) November 5, 2013
Did marriage between news trucks get ratified? And now there are five @sidetrackbar Come enjoy the party pic.twitter.com/cYQNeiFBxY— Sidetrack Chicago (@sidetrackbar) November 6, 2013
#Sidetrack in Boystown. Bureaucracy. Filling out marriage license forms! Notarizing them! PARTY! #ILOVE #IL4M #SB10 pic.twitter.com/7lo5QQOVUv— 326 Bureau Chief (@326BureauChief) November 6, 2013
Thanks @wgnnews http://gopride.com/Z9bu— Sidetrack Chicago (@sidetrackbar) November 6, 2013
Celebrate Marriage Equality in Illinois @sidetrackbar http://gopride.com/Z9bv— Sidetrack Chicago (@sidetrackbar) November 6, 2013
We are proud AND fast @sidetrackbar The TV and newspaper crews are still begging for your stories. Come if you can. pic.twitter.com/3jYhXUrka3— Sidetrack Chicago (@sidetrackbar) November 5, 2013
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