CHICAGO, May 17 (UPI) -- Dozens of gay activists marched outside Chicago's City Hall demanding the right to marry as the first same-sex couple was legally wed in Massachusetts.
Gay activists led by the group Equal marriage NOW! scheduled a lunchtime rally in front of the Cook County Clerk's office. Several other gay rights rallies were scheduled nationwide.
Cook County Clerk David Orr, who personally supports gay rights, has refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples because it would violate the law.
"We have offered to pay the $500 fine if Orr is busted for issuing a same-sex marriage license, but he still refuses to do the right thing and treat our community as equals," said activist Gary Naham.
Several people opposed to gay marriage staged a counter demonstration at the Thompson Center, a state government building, saying same-sex marriage should never be allowed in Illinois. Massachusetts authorities began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples at midnight.
The Illinois Family Institute called it "a very sad day."
