Holy Matrimony! Mfume Steps Out
By Keith Boykin, in politics
Tuesday, January 24 2006, 3:24PM
Although he never said it as head of the NAACP, as a candidate for U.S. Senate, Kweisi Mfume has now announced his support for equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples. In an interview published in the Washington Blade yesterday, Mfume agreed with a Maryland state court's recent decision to strike down heterosexual-only marriage. The Baltimore Circuit Court ruled on Friday that it was unconstitutional to prohibit gays and lesbians from marrying.
"As someone who was raised to believe in traditional marriage, it does not mean others cannot have different beliefs," Mfume said. "I recognize [civil union] laws don't cover all the benefits and all the rights that could and should be accrued to same sex couples."
During Mfume's tenure as president of the NAACP, the organization fought against anti-gay efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution to outlaw same-sex marriage, and the NAACP's chairman, Julian Bond, spoke out in favor of "gay marriage." But neither Mfume nor the organization ever endorsed same-sex marriage before.
In his interview with the Blade, Mfume acknowledged that gay marriage is a difficult religious and philosophical issue, but said governments must respect the equal protection of the laws. "Are we prepared to give that equal protection to all people?" he said. "I don't know how the courts could have come up with any decision than what they did."
Just days before, in an interview with the Washington Post, Mfume had said he respected the court's decision but had not endorsed gay marriage.
Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, the leading Republican candidate, who is also black, seems to have taken a different position on the issue. Steele attended a "Defend Maryland Marriage" rally a year ago that called for a state constitutional ban on gay marriage, the Blade reported. "We are here to affirm that marriage is only between a man and a woman. We need to make it clear where Maryland stands," Steele was quoted as saying at the event.
Comments conceal
Laura
January 24 2006, 5:47PM
good for him, and good for MD!
Kenneth Winfrey
January 25 2006, 10:41AM
The NAACP stands as an important moral compass for African Americans, and I think statements like those of Mfume, as well as Kanye West and Sean Paul are helpful in overcoming homophobia in the black community. Summits like the one led by Sharpton and the NBJC, as well as the presence of SGL/LGBT at the MMM podium are even more inspiring. These are very exciting times!
alicia
January 25 2006, 11:53AM
great news!
i have always admired km...i do so even more
now...
peace
ab
MadProfessah
January 26 2006, 3:53AM
I agree this is good news indeed.
The question is what is Rep. Benjamin Cardin's position on same sex marriage? He's Mfume's primary opponent in the Maryland Senate race....
But he refuses to publicly state his position.
"Congressman Ben Cardin, the other leading Democratic candidate, told the Blade last fall that he supports civil unions but he would not say his position on gay marriage. The Post reported yesterday that Cardin supports legal protection for gay couples and opposes an amendment to the state's constitution banning gays from marrying. He did not take a position on the issue itself"
Steven
January 26 2006, 5:31PM
Kweisi Mfume will be speaking at a rally on Feb 13, 2006 on the issue of same gender marriage. This event is being organized by EqualityMaryland.org and is the follow up to last year’s event in which conservative columnist and senatorial challenger of Barack Obama Allan Keys daughter came out of the closet. This year’s event should be very interesting with all the legal excitement going on in Maryland. To hear a podcast about the event check out
http://media.libsyn.com/media/pinkmafiaradio/PinkMafiaRadioEp17.mp3
or go to www.PinkMafiaRadio.com for more info.
texas76132
January 26 2006, 6:41PM
It's great that the NAACP has decided to take a stand and support gay marriage issues. The problem is that nobody takes them seriously anymore. Poll after poll suggest that what the NAACP thinks and what the Black community thinks, is moving further and further apart. They are so out of touch with mainstream Black America, they may as well be on the planet Pluto. That's the main reason their membership has been declining for years. Pat Robertson and conservative Black preachers have more pull than they do, especially on gay issues. To make matters worse, Kweisi Mfume is not the right person to talk about pro marriage laws of any kind anyway, considering the fact that he has seven kids by several different women and has never been married. He can't be too pro-marriage. Don't hold your breath and wait for a miracle.
Laura
January 28 2006, 9:17PM
"To make matters worse, Kweisi Mfume is not the right person to talk about pro marriage laws of any kind anyway, considering the fact that he has seven kids by several different women and has never been married. He can't be too pro-marriage."
lol thanks for mentioning that. i didn't know that.
these hypocrites...is there no end?