Politicians, activists and organization leaders were among those who gathered in Lakeview at the corner of Halsted and Roscoe Streets to warn of negative consequences for the LGBT community, and marriage equality, should Bruce Rauner be elected Governor of Illinois this November.
A large banner now at the corner shows a picture of Rauner and says, "Bruce Rauner on marriage equality: If I were governor, I would veto it." Many of the protestors wore t-shirts with Rauner's name and a red slash through it.
Art Johnston, co-founder of Equality Illinois, called Rauner, "an enemy of equality [who] is poised to become governor of our state." He added that activists would be using the upcoming Pride as an opportunity to "educate the public about the real Bruce Rauner."
Johnston said, "Most people know nothing about his social agenda. We want to make sure everyone knows where the real Bruce Rauner stands."
Rauner professes to have no social agenda, but has previously said that he would have vetoed the gay marriage bill since he thought the matter should have been decided by a public referendum. But marriage equality activists have been driving home the issue since early June, after Rauner trumpeted an endorsement from the gay Republican organization GOProud, which then dissolved just days later.
Rauner's running mate, Wheaton City Councilwoman Evelyn Sanguinetti, has also said that she believes in the "traditional definition" of marriage.
Johnston said June 26, "If [Rauner] had his way, thousands of LGBT citizens would would be subject to referendum."
Rauner has "failed to articulate a welcoming vision that includes LGBT Illinoisans," said Equality Illinois CEO Bernard Cherkasov, who added that Rauner spent $150,000 on candidates who oppose LGBT equality. "You just need to follow the money."
Activist Theresa Santos-Volpe was finally married to her longtime partner Mercedes the day a federal judge ruled that gay marriages could begin in Cook County. Standing alongside Mercedes and their children, she asked, "How would Bruce Rauner feel if I vetoed his family? ... Rauner is not looking out for our family."
State Rep. Greg Harris, the chief sponsor of the Religious Freedom and Marriage Act, said that the LGBT community needs to be vigilant about whom they help elect: "Equality is not a destination. It's a journey, and I fear if we had Bruce Rauner for a governor, we would begin to walk backward."
Former state GOP Chairman Pat Brady spoke to reporters after the rally in order to give Rauner's perspective. He called the event a "disservice to taxpayers and to voters," and added, "we should be focused on fiscal issues. ... Bruce Rauner is a social moderate and a fiscal conservative, and what this state needs is a fiscal conservative."
But Harris told Windy City Times that the LGBT community has ongoing struggles, and "cannot just say we're done being vigilant about our rights. We have to think of LGBT youth and transgender rights. ... We've got to continue to protect the ground we've gained."
Among those also present for the rally were state Reps. Kelly Cassidy and Ann Williams, Ald. James Cappleman, activist Marquell Smith and Affinity Community Services Executive Director Kim Hunt.
