With half the black legislators in the state House of Representatives still refusing to vote for the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, gay marriage advocates are going on the air with an endorsement from the most popular black politician in Chicago, or anywhere else – President Obama.
Illinois Unites for Marriage Equality is running an ad on black radio stations featuring pro-gay marriage sound bites from both the president and First Lady Michelle Obama. Obama came out in favor of gay marriage over a year ago. The ad is intended to counter anti-gay marriage ads and robocalls from the African-American Clergy Coalition and Family PAC. Former state Sen. James Meeks, pastor of Salem Baptist Church, is featured on a robocall directed at black districts.
Here’s a transcript of the Obama ad:
VO1: You know what? It’s not fair that in some states, gay couples can get married and have all the rights that go along with it – but not in Illinois.
VO2: Not in Illinois? That’s not fair.
VO1: Nope. And that means gay couples don’t get treated equally when it comes to taxes, Social Security, or Medicare. Listen to what President Obama had to say about it:
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President Barack Obama: Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law. For if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.
VO2: So our President’s out there for marriage equality?
VO1: And Michelle, too. Here’s what she said:
First Lady Michelle Obama: In a country where we teach our children that everyone is equal under the law, discriminating against same-sex couples just isn’t right. So, it’s as simple as that.
Announcer: Join President and Mrs. Obama and folks across our community who believe in fairness. Tell your legislators to pass the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act.
Paid for by Illinois Unites for Marriage.
