Black Leaders Come Out for Same Gender Marriage

Please forward...

Please join the National Black Justice Coalition & local community activists for a historical 1st PRESS CONFERENCE AND RALLY in Leimert Park, Los Angeles, CA(Crenshaw & Vernon)

Thursday, March 18, 2004 11 A.M.

We're Calling All Individuals * Couples * Couples w/children * Youth * Elders * & Supporters of Marriage Equality

African American leaders in Los Angeles will step onto the battleground over same-sex marriage Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 11 a.m. in the historic Leimert Park, located at the intersections of Crenshaw Boulevard and Vernon Avenue with a dramatic press conference and rally.

The rally, organized by the National Black Justice Coalition, will bring together African American activists, politicians and religious leaders to challenge Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn to formally oppose the federal marriage amendment and to formally oppose any effort by California state attorney general Bill Lockyear to outlaw same sex marriages.

The press conference comes just days after the California Supreme Court halted same-sex marriages in San Francisco and the Massachusetts Legislature gave preliminary approval to change that state's constitution to ban gays and lesbians from marrying.

The move also comes less than a month after President Bush endorsed a federal constitutional amendment to discriminate against gays and lesbians. The absence of black images in the media led the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and other local community activists to hold the event.

Supporters of this event include: The National Black Justice Coalition, National Alliance for Positive Action, California's Freedom to Marry Coalition, Unity Fellowship Church, Jewel's Catch One, the Black AIDS Institute, At the Beach Los Angeles Black Pride, KPFK 90.7 FM, United Lesbians of African Heritage, the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center, In the Meantime Men's Group, Gentlemen's Gentlemen, Black Men's Exchange, Black Women's Exchange, Zuna Institute and more.

For more information, please call Jasmyne Cannick (323) 839-0216 or email jcannick [at] nbjcoalition.org http://www.nbjcoalition.org