Chicago's GLBT Community Celebrates Supreme Court Decision

Thu. June 26, 2003 12:00 AM by Kevin Wayne

Celebration Tonight at 7PM in Boystown

Chicago, IL - The Supreme Court in a 6-3 ruling today said it was illegal for the State of Texas to ban sodomy between same sex couples. The decision has a direct impact on a Texas law, as well as a powerful, indirect effect on laws in 12 other states that prohibited sodomy. (full story)

Today's Supreme Court decision will cause celebrations by Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender people in at least 36 cities tonight, as activists plan to promote the full pro-gay implications of the decision. In Chicago, a celebration co-sponsored by the Chicago Anti-Bashing Network (CABN) and Equality Illinois will be at 7 pm at the corner of Halsted & Roscoe Streets.

“We’re no longer considered a criminal class of people,” Andy Thatcher of CABN told Fox Chicago, “we intend to push forward for the kind of equality that I think that many Americans deep in their hearts know that everyone should have.”

A Harris online poll, released Thursday shows that seventy-four percent of American adults believe private, consenting sexual relations between same-sex couples should not be illegal. The poll was conducted in April, while the justices were still considering their decision.

But, not everyone was pleased with the decision.

"This ruling undermines our concept of justice in this country," said Rev Bob Schenk, a spokesperson for the National Clergy Council.



Related Link: Chicago Anti-Bashing Network

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