Julian Bond Announces His Support
By Keith Boykin, in politics
Monday, February 2 2004, 10:10AM
The National Black Justice Coalition today announced the support of civil rights leader Julian Bond. Bond joins with Coretta Scott King, Carol Moseley Braun, Al Sharpton, John Lewis, Henry Louis Gates and other African American leaders who publicly support marriage equality.
"I see this as a civil rights issue," said Julian Bond. "That means I support gay civil marriage." Bond, the chairman of the board of directors of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), was speaking in his personal capacity and not for the NAACP.
"We are very pleased that Julian Bond has spoken out affirmatively on this issue," said Keith Boykin, president of the board of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC). "His statement helps to clarify two important points. First, marriage is a basic human right, and second, outlawing discrimination in civil marriage does not change the rules for religious marriage."
The National Black Justice Coalition has been in dialogue with Bond and other civil rights leaders for several months, according to Maurice Franklin, a member of the Coalition's board of directors and the chair of its civil rights committee. "We hope Julian Bond's statement will help to encourage other African American leaders to come out against marriage discrimination," Franklin said.
A key figure in the civil rights movement, Julian Bond was one of the founders of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1960. He later served in the Georgia General Assembly. Bond is Distinguished Professor in Residence at American University in Washington and a Professor of History at the University of Virginia. He has also narrated numerous documentaries, including the Academy Award-winning "A Time For Justice" and the critically acclaimed series "Eyes On The Prize."
Bond is the second major African American public figure to announce his support for marriage equality in the past three weeks. On January 18, Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates told the St. Petersburg Times, "I don't understand why the movement to legitimize gay marriage would bother people so much...We have to fight to educate people and transform that visceral response . . . (because) one of the strengths of the black civil rights movement is that it's served as a model for so many other movements. We who have suffered so much should also be the most compassionate."
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 their communities. The goal of the organization in 2004 is to build black support for marriage equality and to educate African Americans on the dangers of the proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to discriminate in marriage.
Comments conceal
Jaymillionaire
February 2 2004, 10:51AM
Wow, this is now a P.R. site for the National Black Justice Coalition. Just keep those press releases coming.
Roger Pollard
February 2 2004, 11:16AM
Ever since I first heard him lecture, I have always admired Mr. Bond. In my eyes, this announcement, while no surprise, only increases his stature.
Kola Boof
February 2 2004, 11:29AM
This is really great news, Keith!
Congrats
Bob Woodard
February 2 2004, 11:57AM
In the face of people like Talbert W. Swan, it is refreshing to hear that civil rights icons like Julian Bond express support for Equal marriage rights.
Troy
February 2 2004, 1:42PM
It's funny how every year I go to Black Gay Pride events and see everyone from the muscle men to the parents of gays organization this or that but when the same individuals are needed to be there where it really counts that's where there's no one but the same few putting their all on the line, like the Keith Boykin's. Thank god for K.B. But black gay men and women where are you and where do you stand, really, seriously?
My last question which I know I won't get a clear answer to is, Why? Why do we need confirmation or affirmation from heads in society that are not only racist but homophobic and criminal in most acts? Is being like Mike and getting Mike's Government approval the best of what we should be seeking and why aren't we creating OUR own constitution, board of governors, etc.
No, I don't want EVERYONE in my bedroom and I don't want to have to answer to false gods seeking their stamp of approvals. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
Oh and by the way, I am making my own Keith Boykin for President t-shirt, just to fuck with the minds of the backward and ignorant. It'll be so right on and poppin'.
alicia
February 2 2004, 2:19PM
great news keith!
thanks
ab
Troy
February 2 2004, 4:15PM
IT'S TIME WE TAKE ACTION! HERE'S WHAT WE CAN DO;
This Thursday, Feb 5 the Michigan House of Representatives will vote on whether to ban gay marriage in the Michigan Constitution by putting the issue on the ballot.
WE CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN IN MICHIGAN.
PLEASE Foward this action alert to everyone in your address books and send to all friends and lists in Michigan.
If you have not contacted your State Representative please do so NOW!!!!
http://www.ga3.org/campaign/AAGLBT5
THERE IS NO TIME TO WAIT.
Say, you can't be there? Take up the sword of the pen and let them know. Marriage for all. Equal Rights for ALL!
Peter
February 2 2004, 7:49PM
I've always thought Julian was a classy and exceptional human being, and this only continues his fine tradition. It's nice to see that some activists and leaders are willing to walk the walk as well as talk the talk about TRUE equality.
Regan DuCasse
February 2 2004, 11:17PM
Don't forget Washington Post columnist William Raspberry.
He is to be thanked for an article he wrote in outright support last December. It can be read in the archives on that site.
Bond throwing in is great news. I have noticed that the loudest critics of gay adoption. Such as,
James Dobson, Lew Sheldon, Ralph Reed, Phyllis Schafly, Laura Schlesinger, Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, Gary Bauer, and the Pope-have NEVER adopted a child. Let alone a child of color.
Indeed, most of the gay parents I know have mixed broods or are mixed couples.
No the biggest FAMILY and traditional values factions have only nuclear, biological and socially inbred families.
See, underneath those insipid we know what's best what is best smiles, is a segregationist gunning for social purity.
As if their social standing had anything to do with their character, and not being lucky in the social lottery.
Eva Young
February 3 2004, 2:13PM
Great news - and please thank Mr Bond for making this public statement. From the Jan 27 Bleating from the FRC:
NAACP Head Resigns Over Collusion with Senate Dems
Yesterday we told you about the tactics being used by Senate Democrats to stop President Bush's judicial nominees from being placed on the federal bench. Now, some news that shows just what the Dems and their base are up to: Elaine Jones, president of the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund has resigned over allegations she was in collusion with Senate Dems to delay Bush nominees from being approved to specific federal courts until big cases those courts were deciding were completed.
Most notably, Ms. Jones wanted to delay a nominee to the Sixth Circuit until that court ruled in the Michigan University affirmative action case - a landmark case that was appealed to the Supreme Court last term. Senate Democrats say they are proceeding fairly with Bush's judicial nominees, and they claim that any delays are due to the nominees' "extremist" pro-life views. In fact, it looks like the NAACP, Planned Parenthood and other left-wing groups are simply telling the Democrats when to vote and when to stall the President's nominees.
For more information about Elaine Jones' case, visit the Coalition for a Fair Judiciary's website by clicking below.
Additional Resources
Coalition for a Fair Judiciary
Eva Young
February 3 2004, 2:19PM
Then the FRC bigots also made a huge stink over Gay participation in the August march commemorating Martin Luther King.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 22, 2003
CONTACT: Bill Murray, (202) 393-2100 or (202) 421-3651
Gay Activist Groups 'Hi-Jacking' Rev. King's 'I Have a Dream' Anniversary
Spokesmen available for comment on day of march.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On August 23rd, groups from around the nation will gather at the Lincoln Memorial to mark the 40th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. The "March on Washington" event is co-sponsored by a number of liberal organizations, and this year, it will incorporate homosexual activist organizations. The Washington, D.C.-based Family Research Council strongly opposes the hijacking of the civil rights movement by homosexual activists, and believes that homosexual behavior cannot be equated with such innate characteristics as sex or race.
"Time and again, pro-homosexual activists have
attempted to forward their political agenda by associating themselves with the civil rights movement, much to the dismay of many African-Americans, who fought long and hard for their rights," said Peter Sprigg, Director of the Center for Marriage and Family Studies at the Family Research Council.
"They are even extending these arguments to their demands for counterfeit marriage by saying that same-sex couples are being discriminated against the same way inter-racial couples had been years ago. This analogy is not valid at all. Marriages between members of different races and different religions do not change the fundamental design of the marriage relationship: that of one man and one woman. So-called "same-sex marriage," however, completely dismantles the marital union," Sprigg said.
Members of the media looking for reaction to the
involvement of gay and lesbian organizations in this weekend's "March on Washington", please contact the FRC press office.
View this Press Release here
EY: Matt Foreman and NTGTF got lots of criticism from the Independent Gay Forum for failing to mention the Federal Marriage Amendment during his speech at the March. While I think some of the criticisms were valid, I also think the IGF failed to note how the FRC bigots were screeching and whining over this.
Eva Young
February 3 2004, 2:21PM
I also want to thank Black Gay Activists - who have been out on this issue - who've done the hard work of getting Black Civil Rights leaders to take this position.
bklynbro
February 6 2004, 9:01PM
I would like to know how many CBC members (I've only seen John Lewis of GA) are behind gay marriage. Keith, do you guys know how many Black elected officials support gay marriage and how many don't? Black elected officials are so dependent on the Black church I'm curious to see the numbers.
leonardo da Vinci E.
February 10 2004, 2:58PM
It is clear that equal protection before the law is a right which is self evident ...but for others to pretend that it is "Justice" to deny access to equality merely by placing an amendment to our Constitution based on fake intellectualism is the height of hypocrisy.It will be good enough for some minds,but it will never be good enough for the best minds. Clearly the nation must evolve into a more advanced state where religion must be placed into its corret relationship in the society:Wherein all marriages should be regulated as "Civil Unions," and then those who wish to go further may have a "private" church ritual which is in accordance with their personal beliefs...NOT fostered upon the equal rights of anyone else.