Gay rights supporters are putting Republican candidate for governor Bruce Rauner on the spot, days before Chicago’s gay pride festival.
A group of politicians, families and activists wearing t-shirts with red strikes over Rauner’s name gathered at the corner of Roscoe and Halsted in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood. They came to tell gay voters and their supporters not to support Rauner because of his stance on same-sex marriage.
Art Johnston, co-founder of Equality Illinois called Rauner “an enemy of equality.”
“Over and over, he has made it clear he opposes the freedom to marry,” Johnston said.
Hanging above the news conference was a banner showing Rauner’s face with the caption: “Bruce Rauner on equal marriage: ‘If I were Governor I would veto it.'” Johnston, who also owns Sidetrack in Boystwon, hung a sign outside the popular gay bar with a red strike through Rauner’s name.
The protest comes during gay pride month and days before Chicago’s LGBT community hosts Chicago’s gay pride festival and parade. Some elected officials participate in the parade. A spokesperson confirmed with the Chicago Sun-Times that Rauner could not attend the event.
