CHICAGO – A diverse coalition of religious and community leaders will be sponsoring the “United We Stand–Defending Marriage” rally on Saturday, October 16th, at 2 p.m. in Marquette Park (67th and Kedzie), kicking off a 14-city pro-marriage rally tour that ends Oct. 22 in Joliet. 

All Illinois U.S. Senate candidates, including Barack Obama (D) and Alan Keyes (R), have been invited to address the rallies on this question: “What would you do to preserve traditional marriage in Illinois?” 

The “United We Stand” coalition was formed to bring together concerned citizens of Illinois who oppose the redefinition of marriage to accommodate homosexual activism. We believe that marriage is the foundation of healthy families and stable societies, and must not be redefined to accommodate the “gay” movement. 

Across the nation, pro-homosexual groups like the ACLU have fought to disqualify popular ballot initiatives designed to protect marriage. Here in Illinois, House Speaker Mike Madigan (D) blocked efforts to pass an amendment to Illinois’ constitution to permanently protect marriage as between a man and a woman, and to deny government recognition to unmarried “civil unions.” Homosexual activists know the potential of the Illinois Marriage Amendment to pass, and cheered when the deadline expired for the measure to be put on the November ballot. Other states, like Louisiana, have overwhelmingly passed pro-marriage amendments. 

United We Stand members believe that only the voters of Illinois-not unelected judges, homosexual activists, nor the politicians who are subservient to them-should decide if non-marital relationships are to be treated in the law as equal to married relationships. We believe that the people of Illinois will approve an amendment ensuring that real marriage retains the special status it deserves as the building block of a healthy society-one that honors God and nurtures children. 

“United We Stand-Defending Marriage” rallies are sponsored by the Coalition to Protect Marriage: African American Family Association, Vote Life America, The Walsh Forum, Family Taxpayer Network, Catholic Citizens of Illinois, Culture Campaign, Concerned Citizens of America (of Rockford), Concerned Women for America of Illinois, Illinois Family Institute, Eagle Forum, Illinois Family Coalition, Concerned Christian Americans and Citizens for Community Values of Illinois, and Concerned Citizens-Safety of Students (CC-SOS), and Reclaiming Christian Values (Olney). 

Help us defray the costs of the “United We Stand–Defending Marriage” Rally Tour. Private, tax-deductible contributions keep IFI in the fight for truth in Illinois. Please send your gift to Illinois Family Institute at the address below. Thank you.