Why Marriage Matters to African Americans
"When my late husband, Richard, and I got married in Washington, DC in 1958, it wasn't to make a political statement or start a fight. We were in love, and we wanted to be married. Not a day goes by that I don't think of Richard and our love, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the 'wrong kind of person' for me to marry. I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. I am proud that Richard's and my name are on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight, seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That's what Loving, and loving, are all about."
Read her full statement (pdf)
Use the resources below to learn more about why marriage matters to the African American community.
FROM EVAN WOLFSON:
BLOG: Loving equality
Evan Wolfson and civil rights attorney Bernard S. Cohen, who argued the Loving's case, write together about Loving v. Virginia as a milestone in racial equality, an important vindication of marriage as a cherished civil right, and a testament to the importance of fighting for equality, rather than sitting by silently, indifferently, or complacently in the face of cruel exclusion.
Celebrating the Freedom to Marry on the 40th Anniversary of Loving v. Virginia
Our page commemorates the Loving celebration in June 2007 which was co-sponsored by civil rights organizations from across the country to honor the freedom to marry as a civil right, featuring a rare public statement by Mrs. Mildred Loving (a plaintiff in the historic Loving v. VirginiaSupreme court case which ended racial discrimination in marriage) supporting the freedom to marry for all Americans.
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STORY CENTER COUPLES:
Meet some of the African American couples from our Story Center
- Denise and Treeva Liggett-Creek
- Nigel Simon and Alvin Williams
- Jo Rabb and Takia Foskey
- Lisa Laurey and Toni Williamson
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WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE:
National Black Justice Coalition
The National Black Justice Coalition is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black same-gender-loving, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The Coalition works with our communities and our allies for social justice, equality, and an end to racism and homophobia.
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
NGLTF's online resource areas for Marriage and Partnership Recognition and Racial & Economic Justice both offer wonderful resources related to African American communities, marriage equality and equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, couples and their families and allies.
The Audre Lorde Project
The Audre Lorde Project (ALP) is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit and Transgender People of Color center for community organizing, focusing on the New York City area. Through mobilization, education and capacity-building, ALP works for community wellness and progressive social and economic justice. Committed to struggling across differences, ALP seeks to responsibly reflect, represent and serve our various communities.
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THE NUMBERS: POLLING & STATISTICS:
Almost 85,000 Black same-sex couples self identified on the 2000 Census as "unmarried partners" of the same sex, representing 14% of all same-sex couples reporting on the 2000 Census. Black people represent only 13% of the general U.S. population. — Black same-sex households in the United States: A report from the 2000 Census
Black same-sex households in the United States: A report from the 2000 Census (pdf)
A comprehensive analysis of 2000 census data which points directly to the disproportionate harm proposed state and federal anti-gay marriage amendments disproportionately harm black same-sex couples and their families suffer from the continued exclusion of same sex couples from marriage.
Same-sex households of people with African-American descent: Factsheet (pdf)
A companion one-sheet piece to the above report.
Say It Loud: I'm Black & I'm Proud (pdf)
A study of black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people from various cities across the United States found that: Black LGBT people identified the most important issues facing their community as: HIV/AIDS; Hate crime violence; Marriage and partner recognition.
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PUBLICATIONS:
We Are Family: Defeating the shame game in the fight for the freedom to marry (pdf)
Nyansapo, the magazine of the National Black Justice Coalition
In this article, Samiya Bashir outlines the history and current issues involved in the freedom to marry for African Americans and urges both gay and non-gay African Americans to stand up and fight for equality.
Jumping the Broom (pdf)
An excellent publication released by the National Black Justice Coalition and Equality Maryland offering a "Black Perspective on Same Gender Marriage." This important resource includes data, personal stories, and quotes in support of ending discrimination in marriage from African American leaders across the country.
Black Leaders on Marriage Equality (pdf)
While anti-gay organizations have promoted African-American leaders who oppose equal treatment for same-sex couples, in fact many black leaders support equality and oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment. This fact sheet lists moving quotes and statements of support from a diverse array of African American leaders.
Julian Bond on the freedom to marry (pdf)
The longtime civil rights leader and NAACP chairman addressed the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force in Miami, November 4 2006, saying, "One lesson of the civil rights movement of yesterday — and the ongoing civil rights movement of today — is that the simplest of ordinary acts — taking a seat on a bus or a lunch counter, registering to vote, applying for a marriage license — can have extraordinary ramifications. It can change our world, change the way we act and think."
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NEWS:
NY's Next Governor: Lauded as Consensus Builder
Paterson is considered a strong consensus builder, a man whose lifelong disability and status as a racial minority have made him sensitive to others' needs and a clear and empathetic communicator. Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, described Paterson as a staunch ally of the LGBT community. "He's been a long-time supporter of ending discrimination in marriage and I'm confident he would also be a strong advocate in the battles to come," Wolfson says.
Freedom to Marry Voice of Equality Alice Huffman honored in CA
At age 71, Alice Huffman has seen her fair share of bruising battles for equal rights in her lifetime. A longtime leader in the civil rights movement, Huffman has certainly paid her dues and earned the right to a peaceful retirement. Yet Huffman isn't sitting back on her laurels. She has become a key player in the LGBT community's fight for marriage equality.
MD senator tirelessly fought for civil rights
Prince George's County senator and civil rights activist Gwendolyn T. Britt died early yesterday. She was 66. The five-year Democratic state senator was expected to introduce legislation this year that would legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland - and by agreeing to do so, she had become a "hero" to that community, wrote Dan Furmansky, executive director of Equality Maryland. "Thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Marylanders and their families only knew Senator Britt by name, and yet this name truly meant everything to them," he wrote.
Freedom to Marry Voice of Equality helps bridge gap
I'm beginning to understand that blacks assume a colonizer/colonized role when they view gays as "other," and attempt to deny them rights that they themselves fought hard to attain. Michael Eric Dyson, a scholar and ordained Baptist minister, wants us to resist such ways of thinking. "Ironically enough, blacks identify with mainstream sexual values — the very mainstream that has censored and castigated black heterosexuality — when they practice homophobia," Dyson says. "I am not arguing that homophobia has no homegrown black varieties; I am simply suggesting that such homophobia allows blacks to forge solidarity with a culture that has excluded them."
OPINION: King's legacy reaches beyond 'I have a dream'
There's a lot about King's legacy that we can pretend we all agree on. That's nice. But fake unity never does anybody any good. And we should remember that King said injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
EDITORIAL: Marriage goes beyond the ballot
To those who would argue that the people should decide this issue by vote, I also value and defend the right to vote. Generations of my African-American brothers and sisters in the United States — and my own ancestors in Haiti — died for the right to vote. However, I know too that there are some issues that should never be decided by a majority. The abolition of slavery and the right for women and blacks to vote are but a few examples.
Five minutes with Julian Bond
"This is not a game where if the gay people win, the black people lose. When somebody else gains their civil rights, I like to feel the army protecting my civil rights has been broadened and extended."
Former NAACP Head Speaks Out in Support of Marriage Equality
"As someone who was raised to believe in traditional marriage, it does not mean others cannot have beliefs," Mfume said. "I recognize [civil union] laws don't cover all the benefits and all the rights that could and should be accrued to same-sex couples."
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MULTIMEDIA:
VIDEO: N.Y. Governor David Paterson Pledges to Bring Full Marriage Equality to New York
Honored at a Task Force dinner, NY Gov. Paterson reiterated his support for marriage equality and said in a video statement, "I am proud to have run on a ticket...that became the first ticket in this country to actually advocate for marriage equality for all citizens, and to win on that premise, and last year we passed a marriage equality bill in the Assembly...marriage equality in New York may not come just this moment, but it is no longer an issue mostly for conviction, it is an issue for courage...We will push on and bring full marriage equality to New York state."
Charles Barkley speaks out against "fake Christians"
"I think they want to be judge and jury," Barkley said. "Like, I'm for gay marriage. It's none of my business if gay people want to get married. I'm pro-choice. And I think these Christians, first of all, they're not supposed to judge other people. But they're the most hypocritical judge of people we have in the country. And it bugs the hell out of me. They act like they're Christians. They're not forgiving at all."
Loving Vs Virginia: 40th Anniversary of Interracial Marriage
NBJC
The commercial features three married interracial couples:
- Chairman Julian Bond of the NAACP and his wife, Pamela
- Jim and Collette (Maryland)
- Hedi and Gina (Massachusetts) — A an interracial lesbian couple.
Each couple shares how once under the law they were not permitted to marry but because of the Loving decision and the 2004 Massachusetts High Court decision, which permitted gay marriage within the state of Massachusetts they are now legally married.
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Evan Wolfson and civil rights attorney Bernard S. Cohen, who argued the Loving's case, write together about Loving v. Virginia as a milestone in racial equality, an important vindication of marriage as a cherished civil right, and a testament to the importance of fighting for equality, rather than sitting by silently, indifferently, or complacently in the face of cruel exclusion. (link)
In this article (pdf), Samiya Bashir outlines the history and current issues involved in the freedom to marry for African Americans and urges both gay and non-gay African Americans to stand up and fight for equality.
An excellent publication (pdf) released by the National Black Justice Coalition and Equality Maryland offering a "Black Perspective on Same Gender Marriage." This important resource includes data, personal stories, and quotes in support of ending discrimination in marriage from African American leaders across the country.
