The push to get state Sen. James T. Meeks of Calumet City to back the state gay-rights bill got support in the form of an amazing column by Sun-Times writer Laura Washington May 12. Her column, titled ‘Meeks’ silence on rights bill reeks of homophobia, hypocrisy,’ garnered her national attention. Equality Illinois and Church of the Open Door have been protesting against Meeks, especially since he is the vice president of Rainbow PUSH. Even pressure from Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. hasn’t helped. But Washington’s column has upped the ante. The Senate Bill continues to lag just a few votes short of passage—the Democrats promised gays a lot if they took control of the senate, and Meeks is among those fellow Dems standing in the way.