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NAACP Supports Same-Sex Marriage
NAACP backs same-sex marriage as civil right
Associated Press - Sat, 19th May 2012 10:54 PM

MIAMI (AP) — The NAACP passed a resolution Saturday endorsing same-sex marriage as a civil right and opposing any efforts "to codify discrimination or hatred into the law."

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's board voted at a leadership retreat in Miami to back a resolution supporting marriage equality, calling the position consistent with the equal protection provision of the U.S. Constitution.

"The mission of the NAACP has always been to ensure political, social and economic equality of all people," Board Chairwoman Roslyn M. Brock said in a statement. "We have and will oppose efforts to codify discrimination into law."

Same-sex marriage is legal in six states and the District of Columbia, but 31 states have passed amendments to ban it.

"Civil marriage is a civil right and a matter of civil law. 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" said NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous, a strong backer of gay rights.

Gay marriage has divided the black community, with many religious leaders opposing it. In California, exit polls showed about 70 percent of blacks opposed same-sex marriage in 2008. In Maryland, black religious leaders helped derail a gay marriage bill last year. But state lawmakers passed a gay marriage bill this year.

Pew Research Center polls have found that African Americans have become more supportive of same-sex marriage in recent years, but remain less supportive than other groups. A poll conducted in April showed 39 percent of African-Americans favor gay marriage, compared with 47 percent of whites. The poll showed 49 percent of blacks and 43 percent of whites are opposed.

The Human Rights Campaign, a leading gay rights advocacy group, applauded the step by the Baltimore-based civil rights organization.

"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," HRC President Joe Solmonese said in a statement.
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NAACP Endorses Gay Marriage (UPDATE)

The Huffington Post | By Posted: Updated: 05/19/2012 10:38 pm

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's board of directors voted to endorse gay marriage on Saturday, according to a tweet from NAACP officer Maxim Thorne.


Maxim Thorne
The NAACP Board of Directors has just endorsed marriage equality unequivocally. Only two opposed! An historic moment.

Metro Weekly procured the full resolution from the 64-member unit, which is highlighted by an affirmation of the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause:

"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."

The NAACP decision comes at a time where diverse opinions on same-sex marriage are present within black churches. Following Obama's announcement, Bishop Timothy Clarke of the First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio, summed up his congregation's mixed feelings on the issue.

"No church or group is monolithic," Clarke told USA Today. "Some were powerfully agitated and disappointed. Others were curious -- why now? to what end? Others were hurt. And others, to be honest, told me it's not an issue and they don't have a problem with it."

From the government end of the spectrum, dozens of politicians have paralleled Obama's words since the May 9 announcement. GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney stands on the other side of the issue, telling KETV-TV on May 10 that "as a society, I think we're better off if we encourage the establishment of homes with a mother and a father."

UPDATE (5:15 p.m. ET): National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey released a statement acclaiming the NAACP's decision as a "truly historic moment." More from Carey:

"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."

UPDATE (10:15 p.m. ET): In an official statement, NAACP President & CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous and Chairman of the Board of Directors Roslyn M. Brock commented on Saturday's resolution in favor of gay marriage.

“Civil marriage is a civil right and a matter of civil law," Jealous said. "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."

“The mission of the NAACP has always been to ensure the political, social and economic equality of all people,” Brock added. “We have and will oppose efforts to codify discrimination into law.”

Below, a slideshow of politicians' reactions to Obama's support of same-sex marriage:


Last Updated ( Sunday, 20 May 2012 )
 
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Derrick Foward"Move Forward With Foward"

Fellow Citizens:

Achieving constitutional justice in America isn't easy, but with your help, we will be one step closer. The unemployment rates across the country are staggering for people of African American descent. In almost every City in the these United States of America, the unemployment rate for African Americans is almost doubled the national average. We need to hold every employer accountable to the following mandate as outlined in the United States Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be Self-Evident, that All Men Are Created Equal, that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain Unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Ask yourself, if all men are created equal, how do disparities exist? "We the People..." expect equality!!!

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Your community servant,

Derrick L. Foward