Equality Illinois, LGBT Change and Allied for Equality hosted an interfaith prayer breakfast in support of equal rights for LGBT individuals April 8 in downtown Chicago.
The breakfast was the first of its kind for the region, and included clergy from a wide array of major religious denominations. ( Speakers included the Rev. Deborah Lake, Rabbi Michael Siegel of Anshe Amet Synagogue and the Very Rev. Joy E. Rogers of Saint James Cathedral. ) The assembled religious leaders stood in support of basic civil rights for LGBT people and of relationship recognition for same-sex couples.
At the end of the Equality Prayer Breakfast, attendees signed a petition in support of relationship recognition for same-sex couples.
"People of faith are among the strongest supporters of LGBT equality because they believe in natural equality of all human beings," said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois. Matthew Zaradich, co-director of LGBT
Change, said, "We hope their courage will inspire other people of faith to support equality for the LGBT community." Photo of the ministers at the event courtesy of Cherkasov
