NAACP Supports Calif. Gay Marriage Bill

NAACP Supports Calif. Gay Marriage Bill
by Mary Ellen Peterson 365Gay.com San Francisco Bureau

Posted: April 5, 2005 9:01 pm ET

(San Francisco, California) The California Conference of the NAACP Tuesday announced its support for same-sex marriage. It is the first time that a state chapter has endorsed gay marriage - an issue that has generally divided African Americans.

The group narrowly voted to support marriage equality at its convention last fall but did not make its position public until today.

"In a place like California, you can not possibly work for rights if you don't work for gay rights," said Alice A. Huffman, California NAACP president. "You either believe in the rights of everyone or you are in the wrong business."

The announcement comes as state lawmakers prepare to consider a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), is expected to pass through the Assembly Judiciary Committee on April 26.

The legislation would allow gays and lesbians to marry while protecting the rights of churches opposed to same-sex marriage to refuse to perform the weddings.

The endorsement was cheered by Equality California the state's largest LGBT civil rights group.

“No movement has ever been successful without allies and coalition building," said EQCA Executive Director Geoffrey Kors.

"Today’s announcement illustrates that our communities are coming together for equality and against hatred and bigotry. We know this will be a historic marker for all organizations to follow suit and support equality for all LGBT families.”

Meanwhile, a legal case that involves the right of same-sex couples in California to marry is heading slowly to the State Supreme Court. Last month a San San Francisco judge ruled that state laws preventing gay marriage are illegal. (story)

And, earlier this week California's sweeping domestic partner law was upheld by a panel of judges on the state Appeals Court. (story)

But, while same-sex marriage legislation and legal actions move forward, two California Republican lawmakers have introduced constitutional amendments that would bar gays and lesbian from marrying.

The measures are scheduled to be heard by Assembly and Senate committees on April 19, and would need to be passed by two-thirds of lawmakers to be submitted to voters.

©365Gay.com 2005