STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT BUSH'S SUPPORT OF BANNING GAY MARRIAGE , Feb. 25
(National) - The National Black Justice Coalition strongly condemns President Bush's call for a constitutional amendment to discriminate against gays and lesbians . As the U.S. Supreme Court has stated, marriage is a basic civil right and a fundamental human right. We call on President Bush, leaders of Congress and all elected officials to stand up for the basic principles of liberty and justice for all. The Coalition will do everything in its power to fight against this unprecedented effort to write prejudice into the Constitution.
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About the Coalition: The National Black Justice Coalition is an ad hoc coalition of black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered leaders who have come together to fight against discrimination in our communities. The goal of the organization in 2004 is to build black support for marriage equality and to educate the community on the dangers of the proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to discriminate against gays and lesbians.
Black marriage equality supporters include: Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun,Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), Columnist Clarence Page, Presidential Candidate Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. William Sinkford, President, Unitarian Universalist Church, The Hon. Willie Brown, former mayor of San Francisco, Dr. Joycelyn Elders, former U.S. Surgeon General, The Rev. James Forbes, Minister, Riverside Church, Harlem, Whoopi Goldberg, Actor/Producer, New York, Coretta Scott King, Civil Rights Activist, Atlanta, Ron Oden, Mayor of Palm Springs, CA.
National LGBT Youth Agency Condemns Bush Support of Marriage Amendment
Most youth in U.S. support same-sex marriage, says NYAC , Feb 26.
Washington, DC - The national coalition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and youth-serving organizations condemned President Bush's support for a proposed Constitutional amendment aimed at preventing same sex couples from getting married; and questioned the president's priorities in meeting the needs of all Americans.
"Our nation is at war, millions of Americans have lost their jobs and are struggling just to make it, and resources for young people are being cut right and left. Amid all of this, the President of the United States is calling for a Constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage?" asked Craig A. Bowman, executive director of the National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC). "It scares us that the priorities of this administration could be so out of touch with the daily reality of most Americans," Bowman said.
"What does the President want to gain from this? As the President, he doesn't even get a vote. He has absolutely no role in the process of amending the Constitution. It won't be lost on most Americans that this is just an election year ploy," said Bowman. "Amending the Constitution can take up to seven years and will be a major burden for states and their legislatures. Do we really need to tie up Congress with this issue?" Bowman asked.
Recent national surveys show the majority of young people ages 15-29 support the rights of same-sex couples to marry, according to polls by New York Times/CBS News and CIRCLE. NYAC is mobilizing youth nationwide to fight the amendment through its website, www.nyacyouth.org
NYAC believes that President Bush's condemnation of same-sex marriage will ultimately hurt young people, especially those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ).
"For LGBTQ young people who are struggling to survive in a hostile, homophobic world, the public discourse around civil marriage for same-sex couples has very real implications," said Beth Beck, NYAC's Director of Health Programs. "When faced with the hatred and ignorance which has characterized much of this public debate, the isolation LGBTQ young people already face can quickly turn to desperation, hopelessness, and unhealthy decision-making," added Beck.
NYAC has consistently heard from LGBTQ young people around the country that equality is an important issue for them. The following are just a few of their quotes:
"I want to be able to marry my partner when I grow up; and have the comfort of knowing that future generations of LGBT youth will be safe from violent, ignorant people."
"I believe I should have the right to get married to whomever I want and that it should be called marriage and not something else."
"I want to have my committed relationship be a matter of public record and share the same rights as heterosexual couples."
"We should have the right to openly express our love in public and in private, to marry and divorce who we choose, and to feel safe being ourselves without fear of retribution."
In not allowing same-sex couples the basic right to codify their union through civil marriage, states (and the federal government) deny LGBT individuals more than 1,000 federal protections and responsibilities and countless more at the state level-protections which make it possible for married people to visit one another in the hospital; make important healthcare and financial decisions for one another in times of crisis; or share custody and responsibility for their children.
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The National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC) (www.nyacyouth.org) is a social justice organization that empowers its members to fight injustice against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth; and advocates to ensure their physical and emotional well-being. It is the only national organization focused solely on improving the lives of LGBTQ youth through advocacy, education, and information.