An anti-gay marriage march held in Logan square turned tense as demonstrators from opposite sides of the issue came face-to-face in the street April 27.
More than 200 anti-gay protesters assembled at Palmer Square Park to rally against equal marriage. A counter protest of approximately 100 LGBT people and allies arrived to greet them. The two sides shouted each other down in the park before marching south to Humboldt Park in an ongoing confrontation that fluctuated between friendly and explosive.
"Equal rights for all!" pro-gay demonstrators yelled in Spanish.
"One woman, one man!" anti-gay marchers shouted back.
The LGBT contingent led the march, sometimes trying to block anti-gay demonstrators from continuing down the street.
Among those marching for equal marriage was Mikey Corona, a young Latino man who hopes to marry his fiance. Corona said he was disheartened to see other Latinos protesting against equal marriage rights.
"I am hoping that [the pro-LGBT presence] will bring about some kind of switch that will make them see I'm just like them," Corona said. "It's disturbing to see when it's your own ethnic race that is holding daggers at you."
Among those at the front of the anti-LGBT contingent was Rev. Luis Ruiz of Christian Assembly Rios de Agua Viva. Ruiz said that he was marching, "in favor of people as prescribed by the word of God."
Ruiz, who carried a Bible throughout the march, engaged LGBT activists in heated arguments that, at times, bordered on shouting matches.
In other moments, however, both groups shouted words of love at each other. Two women ended a fierce debate with a hug.
The anti-gay rally is among several planned through mid-May, aimed at showing opposition to a bill that would legalize equal marriage. Those demonstrations are organized by the Illinois Family Institute (IFI), an anti-gay organization. LGBT groups have vowed to counter them.
But while most of the actions seem to target lawmakers, many of those at the front of the anti-gay contingent said they did not know why the march had been held in Logan Square and Humboldt Park, where district lawmakers seems to be decided on the issue.
The march ended without incident when anti-gay protesters arrived at a rally outside Casa Puertorriqueña. That center has hosted Amigas Latinas events in past years, according to LGBT activists.
The LGBT march was organized by Robert Castillo, a longtime LGBT Latino activist and Logan Square resident, as well as Gay Liberation Network.
Photos by Tracy Baim and Kate Sosin. Additional photo spread at www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/photospreadthumbs.php .
Link to video by Tracy Baim from today's pro and anti- marriage equality march in Logan Square here: www.youtube.com/watch .