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Why Marriage Matters to African Americans
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:
AT THE CROSSROADS African American Same Gender Loving Families and the Freedom to Marry
Information and strategies to improve attitudes and achieve the freedom to marry for same gender loving couples - a change that will in fact strengthen the African American community.Obama to Blame? Minority Surge Voters and the Ban on Same-Sex Marriage in Florida
After analyzing both quantitative and qualitative studies, the authors find, “we have determined that a surge of minorities turned out to vote in 2008 in Florida, that these individuals were overwhelmingly supportive of Obama, that the rolloff on Amendment 2 experienced by counties where they voted in the largest numbers was no higher than in other places, and most importantly, that this surge of Obama supporters almost certainly was not responsible for the success of Florida’s gay marriage ban.”Communications Toolkit: Talking About Marriage in African-American Communities
The toolkit provides talking points, conversation starters, responses to tough questions, and information about writing letters to the editor.NAACP national calls for Prop 8 to be overturned
In letters to legislative leaders, NAACP national board chair Julian Bond and President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous urged passage of House Resolution 5 and Senate Resolution 7 to put the legislature on record calling for invalidation of Prop. 8 as an improper and dangerous alteration of the California Constitution. Read the letters here.New Study Analyzes What Drove Vote on Prop 8 & Debunks Myths
Freedom to Marry, in collaboration with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Let California Ring, and And Marriage for All, just released a new study that discusses what drove the passage of Proposition 8 and debunks the myths about African-American voting on marriage equality. The study also showed support for freedom to marry grew across nearly all demographics in California.
We Are Family: Defeating the shame game in the fight for the freedom to marry (pdf)
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."[TOP]
NEWS:
View news about why marriage matters to African Americans.
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MULTIMEDIA:
Radio Ads Urge African Americans to Oppose Anti-Gay Discrimination
Radio ads released during the 2008 election in California urge African Americans to support equality. The ads talk about the economics of marriage, breaking down barriers and supportive parents.From: thecitizenjones
3 generations of women against Prop 8
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.
