California Supreme Court’s Ruling On Gay Marriage A Benefit To Everyone

By: H. Alexander Robinson, NBJC CEO
16 May 08 12:00 AM EDT

Yesterday the California Supreme Court handed down a historic decision upholding the freedom granting hundreds of thousands of residents in the state of California the freedom to marry the person that they love.

The state Supreme Court ruled in favor of legalizing unions between people of the same gender thus affirming decades of progress made within the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) movement in the state of California.

The second state high court to rule in favor of ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage said, "in view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship, the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right [marriage] to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual, and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite-sex couples."

Having grown up in the segregated south, I have witnessed and experienced discrimination and I have witnessed and experienced progress, understanding, and change. This decision is a crucial step in realizing the vision of one America, an America that is no longer divided by race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Today we stand at a pivotal point in history. As a black community, we have the unique opportunity of ushering in a new era of social change and progress for another oppressed group.

The shameful history of discrimination faced by African Americans is virtually unparallel in our country. However, discrimination in all its forms is simply wrong and must never be tolerated within our society. To tolerate injustice and discrimination toward gay Americans threatens the very justice for which so many Americans gave their lives.

To not have the right to visit a partner in the hospital, inherit each other's assets, or even be able to draw medical insurance from a spouse's policy is a heartbreaking tragedy that gay men and women must face as a daily reality. It is only through the civil rights of a "marriage" and not a civil union, which provides over 1,000 federal benefits to prevent these disparities from happening.

As black people, we know from our own civil rights history that change does not happen overnight but instead it happens over duration of time.

As we celebrate the memory of our recently departed champion Mildred Loving, let us not forget that it was just 41 years ago next month that the US Supreme Court ruled in the Loving vs. State of Virginia that allowed interracial marriage across every state in the nation.

We must never take for granted the institution of marriage. It is a sacred expression of love. Regardless of who you love, the rights to marry should always be an option.

Many object to marriage for same gender couples based on history or religious beliefs. Two things are clear. First, the Court's ruling only applies to the civil institution of marriage and our churches and mosques will remain free to celebrate the unions of their choice.

Second, the Court in citing its ruling 60 years ago in Perez v. Sharp in which it found that "notwithstanding the circumstances that statutory prohibitions on interracial marriage had existed since the founding of the state---makes clear that history along is not invariably an appropriate guide for determining the meaning and cope of this fundamental (state) constitutional guarantee."

The National Black Justice Coalition and the California Conference of the NAACP filed an amicus in support of the rights of same gender couple to marry in the state.

Now the forces of bigotry and discrimination will seek to overturn this ruling by writing discrimination into the California constitution. We must stand against the forces that stand on the wrong side of history.

We must stand against these forces in every state in the union as there multiple ballot initiatives, pending state legislation and court cases waiting to be heard such is the case in the state of Florida/

Finally we should reflect upon the words of Willie L. Brown Jr., Former Mayor of the City of San Francisco, CA who stated that:

"The African-American community has been at the forefront of many struggles to secure rights for disenfranchised groups and communities. On the issue of marriage equality, however, we have not used our voices or resources to mobilize affirmatively. For the most part, we have been silent. It is my belief that this is our fight too. We must stand for equality and dignity for all of our brothers and sisters. The right to marry whomever you choose is a right that should be enjoyed by everyone."

H. Alexander Robinson is Executive Director and CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition, America's only nationwide black lesbian, gay, bisexual and trangender civil rights organization.

Power of US Conference 2008

I'm a little bummed that I couldn't go to this event that's concluding in Baltimore today. I had the pleasure of being introduced to National Black Justice Coalition CEO H. Alexander Robinson at an event in Louisville a few years ago by Mandy Carter.

The Power of US conference in Baltimore combined their Black Church Summit event (the previous two were held in Atlanta and Philadelphia), a Health and Wellness Summit, and a leadership Development & Mobilization Summit.

I definitely wanted to be there for the leadership part of the conference. In addition to the folks I would have been met there through various networking opportunities, it's always nice to learn some new strategies, skills and tactics for passing progressive legislation. The bonus on this one is I would have gotten to meet fellow GLBT African-Americans from all over the country as well.

It would have also been nice to witness the Black Church Summit as well and see which sellout megachurch ministers (if any) showed up. Bishop Harry Jackson attended the Philly event, but less than 24 hours after he left Jackson was on conservative websites blasting it.

It also would have been interesting to check out the Health and Wellness part of it to see if they addressed health issues of concern to transgender peeps. Unlike a certain organization on Rhode Island Ave, the NJBC is part of United ENDA and is definitely worth donating some cash to if you feel inclined to do so.

Unfortunately my work schedule wouldn't allow me to attend this conference and I sincerely hope the NJBC is planning another one for next year.

NBJC Response to ENDA Controversy

From the desk of H. Alexander Robinson, NBJC CEO
October 5, 2007

As an African American organization we are acutely aware of the compromises and incremental steps that were necessary to realize civil rights for African Americans and that the endeavor to assure racial justice for all Americans continues.

As defenders of the proposed two-bill strategy have noted, advocates for the rights of women, people of color and people with disabilities have had to accept incremental progress towards equality.

African Americans were forced to wait for voting rights, we waited for housing rights. But the rights that were extended were extended to everyone, not just African Americans, but all Americans.

At every step in their march toward civil rights African Americans, women and people with disabilities were called upon to examine their goals and decide the risk and benefits of decisions to compromise or take the stand "this far and no further." The LGBT movement is facing that moment today.

A transgender-inclusive ENDA is already a compromise. It extends employment protections, but does not cover housing, or public accommodations, or credit. In 1996 this compromise was suppose to move us quickly to passage of employment protections for gay Americans. Instead a decade later the promise is unfulfilled and the compromise is the high water mark.

As an LGBT organization it is unconscionable to think that we would support cutting transgender protections out of ENDA. Our fate and the fate of transgendered Americans are inextricably entwined. The risk we take if we abandon our friends and families for the illusory promise of incremental progress is too great, the price too high.

Discrimination is wrong and if we hope to garner the respect and support of our allies and our opponents we must act to keep our family whole. United we can see victory—divided we lose our moral authority and take a step back from our principled stand against injustice and discrimination.

Now is not the time to retreat, compromise or capitulate. Now is the time to educate, advocate and make it known justice must be for everyone for without it there can be lasting justice for anyone.


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About the Coalition

The National Black Justice Coalition is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black same-gender-loving, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people. The Coalition works with our communities and our allies for social justice, equality, and an end to racism and homophobia.

The National Black Justice Coalition envisions a world where all people are fully empowered to participate safely, openly, and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender-identity or sexual orientation.

Bishop Harry Jackson's Claims Divisive and Untrue

Jackson's Claims Divisive and Untrue

July 1, 2007
by: Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
Sylvia Rhue, Ph.D.

Bishop Harry Jackson of the High Impact Leadership Coalition and pastor of Hope Christian Church in Maryland is leading the misguided attempt to scare Black ministers into backing his efforts to derail the much needed Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act also known as the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act. In doing so he is distorting the facts about a law which would provide local law enforcement with addition tools to stem the tide of intentional acts of violence and murder.

Contrary to Bishop Jackson's assertions, this bill will not "muzzle clergy", and it is not "anti-Christian". This bill should be passed because it is fair, overdue and much needed. The House passed a version last May and the Senate should pass it as well.

Bishop Jackson's claims are based on bias that is divisive, destructive and untrue. Hate crimes laws punish violent acts, not beliefs or thoughts, not even violent thoughts. The proposed federal statute does not punish, nor prohibit in any way, free expression of one's religious beliefs.

Pastors will remain free to condemn, demean, defame and dehumanize their gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered congregants and neighbors as they feel called by their religious beliefs. This bill will not change the First Amendment and we would not support any law that undermined this precious freedom.

On the other hand, we work with clergy who respect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, and honor the many gifts they have brought to the Church, especially to the Black Church. We believe this is the American way—we value the separation of church and state. We also believe it is the authentic way of Christ.

We also suggest that Bishop Jackson take a course in basic human sexuality since so much of his resistance to equal rights for LGBT people lies in his stated assumption that homosexuality is a "choice", while being black is not. Sexual orientation is not a choice. It is a innate, God-gifted, morally neutral state of being.

We hope and pray that Bishop Jackson will focus some attention on Christ's message of inclusion as we did when we invited him to speak to our members during our recently held Black Church Summit at Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia. From that experience alone the good Bishop should have known that we would never support a law that would silence him in his own pulpit.

Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
Sylvia Rhue, Ph.D.

The writers are respectively the Chair and Director of the National Black Justice Coalition's Religious Advisory Committee.