Black ministers issue robocalls against gay marriage

Some black clergy in the Chicago area have issued robocalls in opposition to legalizing same-sex marriage in Illinois.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that the African-American Clergy Coalition launched another round of calls on Monday. The 40-second messages feature the voice of former state Sen. James Meeks, who is senior pastor of Chicago’s Salem Baptist Church. In the message Meeks says in his view “same-sex marriage should not be the law of the state of Illinois.”

The state Senate last month approved legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry. It awaits a floor vote in the House, where Speaker Michael Madigan has said passing it will be “very difficult.” Gov. Pat Quinn has said he would approve gay marriage.

Some prominent black ministers have said that they do support gay marriage.