NAACP backs marriage equality

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/ AP Photo/Gus Ruelas

Updated 10:20 p.m. ET

(CBS News) The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) backed a resolution on Saturday in support of marriage equality.

"We have and will oppose efforts to codify discrimination into law," Roslyn M. Brock, chair of the NAACP board of directors said in a statement.

The resolution passed by the organization's board of directors says "the NAACP has opposed and will continue to oppose any national, state, local policy or legislative initiative that seeks to codify discrimination or hatred into the law or to remove the Constitutional rights of LGBT citizens."

NAACP President Benjamin Jealous said, "Civil marriage is a civil right and a matter of civil law." He cited the equal protection provision in the 14th Amendment, which is one of three post-Civil War amendments securing African American freedom and rights.

The NAACP's action comes less than two weeks after President Obama came out in support of same-sex marriage, but saying it is an issue best left to the states.

LGBT groups praised the NAACP's decision.

GLAAD President Herndon Graddick said, "Today's announcement represents their continued stance against the discrimination that LGBT families face. We applaud President Ben Jealous and the NAACP Board of Directors for their leadership on this issue."

[winchesterla]

You are bunkers!! Same sex union is not marriage, it is civil union. Call it whatever you like but marriage.

[reality_sanity]

Marriage in terms of the USE of word marriage in the TAX CODE, in laws granting committed partners benefits (insurance, Social Security, etc) from the union, in laws granting committed partners say in medical decisions and access to patients in medical facilities.

[marychgo]

Just read the Due Process and Equal Treatment clauses of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.

Under the First Amendment, CHURCHES can discriminate, but under the 14th, GOVERNMENTS (local, state, and federal) cannot discriminate. So either we need to remove every reference in local, state, and federal law and regulations that recognizes heterosexual marriage and grants it certain rights or privileges, or every level of government needs to recognize the right of consenting same-sex adult couples to enter into a civil contract of marriage that qualifies them for all the same rights and privileges.

There are many subjects that Americans are able to vote about, but the rights of other Americans are NOT subject to majority rule!

[cbsnews_viewer]

Its a stupid culture war issue. It only benefits evangelicals, homosexuals, and lawyers. Its no great surprise that the NAACP is a lawyer based institution. Those of us that know homosexuals exist, and don't give a damn unless it hurts business. Civil Unions are the compromise position. Now, Mr Obama, the homosexual lobby and the evangelicals don't want compromise. They want to use judges to force decisions that a great majority of Americans can't handle. Expect needless conflict. Lawyers only get paid to fight. Preachers get more money/power/prestige if they can make something out of nothing. Now, the cross dressers and sex changers want to be a protected group. Libertarians, and Ron Paul think it should be a state by state issue.

[saturn05]

It needs to be a Federal law so we are consistent. There is no compromise when it comes to civil rights.

[saturn05]

It needs to be a Federal law so we are consistent. There is no compromise when it comes to civil rights.

[hikkirocks]

Guys, check this out. A prominent Japanese film director and an Academy Award winner Beat Takeshi compares same-sex marriage to bestiality. This can't be forgiven. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRC4UbvXsvs Also check out a summary on J-News http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06akl7o7O2s

[cbsnews_viewer]

'Beat' Takeshi made his career off of films that made the Japanese Underworld (criminals) look cool. The NAACP of the 1950,1960s was about morality. Supporting criminals is not moral.

[joe1022joe]

Blacks would support Obama enmass if they knew for certain he was born in Kenya, had two other wives, was a heroin dealer, and had home movies of him holding up the Bank of America at high noon with a .45.

[stormerF69]

In Obama's book he said he was born in Kenya,wonder if he holds a dual citizenship?

[Beyond-The-Spectrum]

(1) There is no logical way that anyone with a grain of intelligence, insight, or common sense can reasonably conclude that the Founding Fathers could have foreseen, or would have imagined that two adults of the same sex/gender would ever want to "marry" each other. That being the case, how could gay marriage be considered a "Constitutional right?" Besides, the definition of "family" within the black community is so fractured and dysfunctional that the last thing the black community needs is for some group try to rewrite thousands of years of human history by re-defining what a "family" is. Marriage is a tradition and an institution, but it is NOT a "right!" (and yes, I am black).

(2) I resent the implication that blacks are "blind sheep" just because they vote for Obama "despite any reason." No one called blacks "sheep" as they voted for certain white candidates for the last 150 years...despite the decisions THEY made... The same could be said for registered Republicans who vote for a candidate just because they're "conservative." Are THEY "sheep" too? Of course not...it's the subtle racism which reveals the most.

Beyond-The-Political-Spectrum.blogspot

[saturn05]

#1 Our founding fathers were intelligent men, many whom were great thinkers. I am sure they knew of homosexuality and the eventuality of things to come. Why wouldn't they think two people who love each other would want to get married? I think it is a logical premise. All we are rewriting is a stupid, antiquainted law. History was dramatically changed with blacks being given rights to vote and marry. Give me a break! Jump on in to the 21st century.

[washmohickory]

If the black churches have any real Christian integrity, they will turn the NAACP and Pres Obama on their ears. There is no doubt from a biblical perspective on this. The foundation of Christianity is the family. Will Obama and the NAACP next come out for polygamy? What about communal marriage?

[ugacrew]

The NAACP and Obama support individuals' rights to choose their own lifestyles based on their own individual beliefs and not according to the likes, dislikes, approvals or disapprovals of others, as long as such choices do not harm or infringe upon the same rights as others.

What is wrong with that?

As far as the biblical perspective is concerned, God's Law and man's law are two completely different things. First, one is of God, second the other is of man. Often, man's law will be influenced by God's law, but they may also conflict with each other, as was the case in racial segregation. God never created any race to be superior to another but created all men in his image. Man's law of segregation, as one example, was in direct conflict with this law.

[cbsnews_viewer]

People of religion turn ancient texts into any thing they want to. If Christ was about family, he would of had a family.

[lgccac]

What the NAACP is really saying is: Vote for Obama just because he is black.

[stormerF69]

Go ahead and endorse Same sex marriages NAACP,it will be the end of the NAACP which is good, any organization that panders to politicans needs to end.Especially when no jobs from have been created or saved without the use of tax payer dollars.Nothing has been done for the black or the latino community so why would you support a President that promises,promises,promises but delivers nothing.

[ugacrew]

Perhaps Obama did not deliver yours but he delivered promises that I know many have benefitted from, specifically members of my own family. Since are blinded by hate and bigotry, you can't see anything that would give this President any credit at all. Its sad for you because this President could walk away from any attempt to be President and walk away as a millionaire.

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

Only repubs support discrimination.

Makes them feel self-sanctimonious.

[cbsnews_viewer]

Sounds like a partisan and self-serving statement to me.