The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) backed a resolution on Saturday in support of marriage equality.
"We have and will oppose efforts to codify discrimination into law," Roslyn M. Brock, chair of the NAACP board of directors said in a statement.
The resolution passed by the organization's board of directors says "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."
NAACP President Benjamin Jealous said, "Civil marriage is a civil right and a matter of civil law." He cited the equal protection provision in the 14th Amendment, which is one of three post-Civil War amendments securing African American freedom and rights.
The NAACP's action comes less than two weeks after President Obama came out in support of same-sex marriage, but saying it is an issue best left to the states.
LGBT groups praised the NAACP's decision.
GLAAD President Herndon Graddick said, "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."
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Comments: 13
What part of this don't Republicans understand?
Thanks William and Lloyd :
I applaud the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for this brave decision.
Bravo !!! Bravo !!! Bravo !!
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Unlike Republicans, Blacks are not threatened by the Gay community.
I applaude President Obama, Vice president Biden and the NAACP.
Then where is the overwhelming outrage? You know nothing about the true beliefs of the Black Church. Black people who have Gay family members and friends do not throw them under the bus.
My blood is boiling on this one. My heart breaks.
I think that is highly unlikely. Surely there will be those that are opposed to marriage equality. After all there are many people and organizations counting on gay marriage to be wedge issue between the black and LGBT communities. The black community is as diverse as almost any other community. Marriage is a legal contract. It's spiritual component is between the couple and GOD—no one else.