
It’s hard to believe that it was seven years ago today that I photographed a protest for marriage equality in Chicago. It seemed like a place as liberal as Illinois would have civil unions in no time at all, but it took until June 2011 for us to have these rights.

Michelle Balydad (C) and Jennifer Widd (R) listen to speakers at a pro same sex marriage protest outside the John C. Kluczynski federal building in Chicago, July 12, 2004. The U.S. Senate resumes debate Monday on a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. A vote, likely to be held Wednesday, would put lawmakers on the spot in an election year as they seek to balance backing traditional marriage and gay rights. REUTERS/John Gress

Sherry Wolf and other pro same sex marriage advocates protest outside the John C. Kluczynski federal building in Chicago, July 12, 2004. The U.S. Senate resumes debate Monday on a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. A vote, likely to be held Wednesday, would put lawmakers on the spot in an election year as they seek to balance backing traditional marriage and gay rights. REUTERS/John Gress