As people made their way to the Holy Name Cathedral on Valentine’s Day Sunday, they were greeted by hundreds of gay rights activists protesting the Catholic Church’s opposition to gay marriage and its overall unequal treatment of LGBT people.

The protestors feel Valentine’s Day should be seen as “Freedom to Marry Day” and a time to celebrate love and equality. Throughout the country Valentine’s Day has been used as a time for activists to speak out for equal rights.

The Gay Liberation Network has previously organized protests on this day of love, showing its support for equality outside the doors of numerous churches.

“We want to drag the church’s bigotry out of the closet,” the group’s founder, Andy Thayer, said.

For more information on the protest visit the Chicago Tribune.

Olivia Stephens