State Rep. Greg Harris Marches in Gay Pride Parade

Associated Press

Monday July 1, 2013

CHICAGO - The state representative who sponsored Illinois' failed gay marriage bill marched in Chicago's Pride Parade.

State Rep. Greg Harris wore a T-shirt on Sunday that read "I'm a Yes for Marriage Equality." He and other lawmakers were criticized for not bringing the measure for an Illinois House vote last month after it passed the Illinois Senate on Valentine's Day. But none of that tension was visible during the parade.

Harris walked the route, waved to enthusiastic crowds and received cheers.

Harris says that Illinois is "in a truely second-class status" until lawmakers make gay marriage legal. He promised to bring back the issue in the fall.

Illinois allowed civil unions in 2011.

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