Marriage Equality

NBJC believes in marriage equality as a cornerstone of civil rights and core to LGBT rights.

The National Black Justice Coalition supports marriage equality.  We believe that marriage is a special bond of love and commitment between two people.  We believe that government has no right to tell two unrelated, consenting adults who they should love.  As we oppose marriage discrimination against gays and lesbians, we condemn efforts to enact the Federal Marriage Act or other constitutional measures to re-define marriage to exclude gay and lesbian couples.  We also oppose the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996.  

As Black people, we know what it’s like to be denied the right to marry the partner of our choice.  Because of our unique history, we know that we cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past.  

For a detailed explanation and understanding of marriage equality from a Black perspective, please read Jumping The Broom as a good starting point.  For an overview on Marriage Equality, please read Love is Strong Medicine.

Here are some of the articles, publications and research NBJC has done on African American marriage and marriage equality:

Reports:  

News and Articles: 

• Is Gay Marriage Like Civil Rights?
  News commentary from 2006

• Interracial Marriage Bans vs. Bans on Marriage Between Same-Sex Couples

• Marriage Discrimination Breaks Up Families

• Marriage Discrimination: Particularly Harmful to Black Families

• The Least of These: Marriage Discrimination Harms Children

• Isn't Marriage a Religious Institution?

Additional Resources:

Freedom to Marry is the gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality nationwide.

www.freedomtomarry.org