MAJOR news today. The board of directors of the NAACP has voted to
officially endorse same-sex marriage. Reactions from other civil rights groups will be added to the bottom of this post as they arrive.
“The
mission of the NAACP has always been to ensure the political, social
and economic equality of all people,” board chair Roslyn M. Brock said
in a statement following passage of the resolution on Saturday. “We have
and will oppose efforts to codify discrimination into law.”The chairman
emeritus, Julian Bond, had already pledged his support earlier this
week as part of a coalition of black leaders trying to tamp down
speculation that Obama’s support of gay marriage would divide the black
community.
The resolution and statement Saturday specifically
noted that the group supports “civil marriage” for same sex couples,
while respecting religious freedom -- something the president also
mentioned when announcing his stance. “Civil marriage is a civil right
and a matter of civil law,” NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd
Jealous said in the statement. “The NAACP’s support for marriage
equality is deeply rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment of the United
States Constitution and equal protection of all people.”
Here is the text of the resolution:
The
NAACP Constitution affirmatively states our objective to ensure the
“political, education, social and economic equality” of all people.
Therefore, the NAACP has opposed and will continue to oppose any
national, state, local policy or legislative initiative that seeks to
codify discrimination or hatred into the law or to remove the
Constitutional rights of LGBT citizens. We support marriage equality
consistent with equal protection under the law provided under the
Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Further, we
strongly affirm the religious freedoms of all people as protected by the
First Amendment.
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
This
is truly a historic moment as the NAACP — the nation’s oldest civil
rights organization — takes an official and unequivocal stand for
marriage equality. As the country’s oldest national LGBT rights group,
the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force could not be more thrilled. We
are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the NAACP working together
on the many issues that affect all of our lives. Whether it be fair
access to education and jobs, an end to voter suppression and racial
profiling, the right to love and be who we are free of discrimination —
these issues affect all of us, our families and our country. Today the
NAACP did what it does so well — inspires and affirms our common
humanity.
Freedom To Marry
The NAACP has long been the nation's conscience and champion for an
America where all share equally in the promise of liberty and justice
for all. Today the NAACP resoundingly affirmed that the freedom to
marry is a civil right and family value that belongs to all of us, and
that discriminatory barriers to marriage must fall. The toxic tactics
of anti-gay groups like NOM to 'drive a wedge between blacks and gays'
will be washed away in the wave of righteous affirmation.
Human Rights Campaign
We
could not be more pleased with the NAACP’s history-making vote today –
which is yet another example of the traction marriage equality continues
to gain in every community. It’s time the shameful myth that the
African-American community is somehow out of lockstep with the rest of
the country on marriage equality is retired - once and for all. The
facts and clear momentum toward marriage speak for themselves. NOM has
pursued ugly racial politics seeking to divide people, but what is
becoming crystal clear is that its strategy is not working. Americans
from all walks of life are uniting to support love, commitment, and
stronger families.
GLAAD
"For
more than 103 years, the NAACP has been a leading advocate and a voice
for members of marginalized communities. Today’s announcement represents
their continued stance against the discrimination that LGBT families
face. We applaud President Ben Jealous and the NAACP Board of Directors
for their leadership on this issue," said GLAAD President Herndon
Graddick. "Across races, faith traditions, and political persuasions, a
majority of our culture recognizes that denying gay couples the chance
at happiness that comes with being married is unfair and un-American.”
National Black Justice Coalition
“As
a Life Member of the NAACP, I am happy to see the organization join the
President of the United States in ‘evolving’ and follow the powerful
example of civil rights icons and Black voices like Rev. Dr. Joseph
Lowery, Julian Bond, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and
others who have said committed LGBT couples and families deserve the
same protections as everyone else,” says Sharon Lettman-Hicks, NBJC
Executive Director and CEO. “Family is the epicenter of Black life,
community and culture. For Black LGBT people, its importance is just as
great.”
Marriage Equality USA
"The NAACP has an unbroken history of standing up for civil rights for
all Americans, right up through their stand against the discriminatory
Amendment 1 in North Carolina, and now today’s historic vote affirming
marriage equality for all loving and committed couples,” said Stuart
Gaffney, MEUSA Media Director. “Standing together from coast-to-coast
with allies such as the NAACP is what is going to make the dream of
marriage equality for all loving and committed couples a reality.”
Reposted from Joe
