Black clergy air radio ads opposing gay marriage

CHICAGO (AP) — Some Chicago-area clergy are getting vocal about same-sex marriage — including through radio ads opposing pending legislation to legalize the practice in Illinois.

A new group calling itself the African American Clergy Coalition says it began airing the 60-second commercials Tuesday on black radio stations.

It also plans a "street campaign" asking Cook County's black residents to call and urge their state lawmakers to vote no on the bill, and has begun "robo-calling" homes in black communities.

The calls feature the voice of former state Sen. James Meeks, who also is senior pastor of Chicago's Salem Baptist Church.

The state Senate has approved a measure allowing same-sex couples to marry. It awaits a House floor vote, but House Speaker Michael Madigan has said that passing it could be "very difficult."