Vermont, D.C. Now Recognize Same-Sex Marriage!!
The Vermont State legislature today overrode the governor’s veto of a bill allowing same gender loving couples the right to marry. This clears the way for Vermont to fully embrace marriage rights for its entire citizenry regardless of sexual orientation. Vermont would become the fourth state permitting same-sex marriage, joining Iowa, Massachusetts and Connecticut in upholding the rights of those who wish to marry, regardless of sexual orientation.
Today also saw the Washington D.C. City Council vote to recognize gay marriages performed in other states. While domestic partnerships are already legal in the nation’s capital, today’s legislation marks an important milestone by explicitly recognizing same-sex married couples.
Vermont law calls for a two-thirds majority in order to override a veto. This bill passed the Senate 23-5, and cleared the Vermont House by 100-49 later this morning. This vote comes just days after the Iowa Supreme Court struck down a law barring same gender loving individuals from marrying, and so becoming the only state outside of New England now recognizing same-sex marriage rights.
"This is a significant victory and a triumph for Vermonters," said H. Alexander Robinson, Executive Director and CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC). “We applaud the vision of Vermont's legislators who see it as their job to ensure equality for all.”
NBJC Deputy Director for Communications and Connecticut State Representative Jason W. Bartlett noted, “This is an excellent example of state legislators coming together to override a governor’s veto to truly act in the best interest their constituents and their civil rights. Vermonters understand that civil unions were separate and unequal. I am proud of my colleagues to the north.”
Transgender Equality Lobby Day
in Connecticut April 7
The House Judiciary Committee failed to take action on the Transgender Anti-Discrimination Bill, HB 6452, last week.
Now, more than ever, we need to have a strong showing at tomorrow's lobby day to demonstrate Connecticut citizens' commitment to fairness and equality for all. Please come out and show your support.
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009
10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Legislative Office Building in Hartford
300 Capital Ave, Hartford; 1DDd
This is your chance to learn more about HB 6452 and its impact on our state's residents. This bill would add gender identity and expression to Connecticut's non-discrimination law, protecting the rights of transgender people in areas such as employment and housing.
Legislators need to hear from you about the importance of this legislation. The personal stories of transgender people, friends, and allies are the most effective tool we have to move legislators to support this bill.
For more information, including talking points and lobbying tips, visit www.glad.org.
For up to date information on lobby day, please visit: www.transadvocacy.org.
Thank you for supporting equality and fairness for all Connecticut citizens.
Iowa Supreme Court Decision Allows Same-Sex Marriage
Today, the Iowa Supreme Court handed down a unanimous decision with a significant impact towards bringing about full marriage equality. Iowa has joined Massachusetts and Connecticut in recognizing same gender loving marriage and upholding the rights of those who wish to marry, regardless of sexual orientation. The Court said that marriage was a "supremely important civil institution" and that Gays and Lesbians should have the right to marry. The court concluded "to decide otherwise would be an abdication of our Constitutional duty."
In Varnum vs. Brien, the decision sends a loud and distinct message from Iowa to the rest of the country that same-sex marriage belongs as part of the progress the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has made in the United States.
"Iowa has a strong tradition of protecting individual freedom and civil rights. We are not at all surprised that the State which launched President Obama's election campaign has joined the ranks of states that recognize the fundamental dignity of the lives of lesbian and gay Americans," said H. Alexander Robinson, Executive Director and CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC).
 NBJC founder Mandy Carter worked in Iowa advocating for the freedom of all Iowans to marry whomever they choose. "We all worked very hard to challenge the voices of intolerance in Iowa and we won! I am excited by this decision, which secures equality for Iowans, " Carter said. "My experience in Iowa was positive and encouraging; this decision reinforced the fact that Iowa's courts have taken necessary measures to ensure fairness and equality for all committed couples."
Click here to read a summary, or click here to read the full court opinion.
NBJC would like to recognize Lambda Legal for filing this lawsuit on behalf of six same-sex couples seeking the right to marry in Iowa. The couples in this case have been together between five and over 16 years. Three of the couples are raising children, others are planning families, and all want the responsibilities of marriage and the protections only marriage can provide.
Statement from Byron Williams, NBJC Religious Advisory Committee Co-Chair:
As chair of the NBJC Religious Advisory Committee, I applaud the Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling today that ruled in favor of same-gender marriage. Today, we witnessed the cascading waters of justice restore hope in the parched souls of countless numbers of same-gender couples. This ruling restores my belief in de Tocqueville’s “Tyranny of the Majority,” because the court, through a dispassionate examination, embraced the principles that are the bedrock of the Constitution and the Declaration Of Independence: There are no exceptions to equal protection under the law.
It is my prayer that the California Supreme Court will follow the progressive stand taken by the Iowa Supreme Court in its upcoming ruling on Proposition 8.
Statement from Carolyn Jenison, One Iowa Executive Director:
I want to begin by saying how great it is to be an Iowan! Today, the Heartland proves again to be fitting of its name. The Iowa Supreme Court, in clearing the way for gay and lesbian couples to marry, recognized that love and commitment are at the heart of what makes our communities strong. As Iowans, we pride ourselves on our strong sense of community and fairness. It’s only fair that two caring, committed people are able to take full responsibility for one another.
I grew up in the small town of Randall, Iowa. Like most kids, I had the same expectation of meeting that special someone to share the rest of my life with. More than the legal protections and security of marriage, today’s decision is about recognizing that love and commitment are not defined by the gender of the participants involved. It’s about couples like David and Larry from Urbandale or Reva and Ingrid from Council Bluffs -- couples that have stuck together through thick and thin, who have raised strong families, and been active in their communities. Today, the message the Court sends is that these families are worthy of the same recognition and hold the same value as any other couple.
As a lifelong Iowan, I have never been as proud of my state as I am today! Not only will we join Connecticut and Massachusetts as the third state to offer marriage licenses to gay couples, but Iowa will set the standard for fairness and equality in the Midwest. I encourage all Iowans, whether you agree with the Court’s decision or not, to respect the important role that the court plays. While we may not all agree with the decision, I think we can all agree that it’s unfair to stand in the way of someone being able to take care of his or her long-term partner. I invite those who disagree to engage with us in a conversation. I encourage you to visit our website at oneiowa.org to read the personal stories of Iowans affected by today’s decision. Moving forward, One Iowa will work tirelessly to see that marriage equality in Iowa is protected and valued with the same vigor that we pursued it.
I want to thank our wonderful partners at Lambda Legal for bringing this case before the Courts and all our supporters across the state. We would not be here today without your support and guidance. I also want to thank my staff at One Iowa. Our slogan is “together we are One Iowa” and I know our success is due in large part because of our commitment to work as a team.
Join us this evening at your local rally!
Ames Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
ISU Campus next to the Hub
Contact Matt Skuya at 515.314.0213
Cedar Falls/Waterloo Rally
Friday, April 03, 3:00 PM
Univ. of N. Iowa Maucker Union, Cedar Falls
Contact Kaitlin Corbitz at 319.610.7155
Cedar Rapids Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:00 PM
People’s Church Unitarian Universalist
600 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids
Contact Andrea Jansa at 319.360.8072
Council Bluffs Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Playland Park
2 North 40th Street, Council Bluffs
Contact Matt Skuya at 515.314.0213
Des Moines Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Western Gateway Park
13th Street between Grand & Locust @ 5:30 pm
Contact the One Iowa Office at 515.288.4019
Decorah Rally
Saturday, April 04, 10:00 AM
Winneshiek County Courthouse
201 W. Main St., Decorah
Contact Amalia Vagts at 563.382.6277
Dubuque Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Q’s
920 Main Street, Dubuque
Contact Tina Sio at 563.564.6316
Iowa City Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Univ. of Iowa Pentacrest
On Clinton Street and Iowa Avenue
Contact Matt Fender at 646.752.5932
Mason City Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Cerro Gordo County Courthouse
220 N. Washington Ave, Mason City
Contact Matt Skuya at 515.314.0213
Quad Cities Rally
Friday, April 03, 5:30 PM
Davenport Unitarian Church
3707 Eastern Avenue, Davenport
Contact Ryan Crane at 402.659.8110
NBJC Hosts Town Hall Meeting on LGBT Civil Rights
National Dialogue and Black Church Summit Provide Provocative Conversation
By Sr. Correspondent, D. Kevin McNeir
 The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) recently hosted a groundbreaking discussion at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, CA which focused on the intersection of race and sexual orientation. Moving Beyond History: LGBT Civil Rights in a Post-Racial America was the subject on the table and it brought hundreds of interested African Americans from a wide range of perspectives and lifestyles including: lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people, mainstream LGBT organizations, clergy and straight allies.
Two straight allies of NBJC, the Rev. Byron Williams, pastor of Resurrection Community Church [Oakland, CA] and the Rev. Amos Brown, national board member of the NAACP, were both participants on a panel entitled, "Allies in Partnership with Justice." And from comments, it is clear that they are both church leaders who see the necessity of guaranteeing civil liberties and justice to "all of God's children."
"Someone asked me a question that I view as quite profound: 'Why do you care if you are not gay?'" said Williams, who is the country's only pastor/syndicated columnist and a regular contributor to the Oakland Tribune as well as 10 other publications. "If we limit this conversation and these issues, which I believe are issues of justice, then we miss the thread of justice that impacts everyone. None of us has the luxury of being silent in the face of injustice. As it relates to the church, if we cannot talk about sexuality, then we can't even consider having a conversation about homosexuality.
Much, much more at GBM News!
Want to be on MTV?
MTV’s The Real World is now casting for its 23rd season, and has extended a special invitation to members of National Black Justice Coalition. To apply, please email a few snapshots of yourself, a brief bio, and your contact information, including your phone number.
Email to: [email protected]
The subject heading of your email should be: “National Black Justice Coalition APPLICANT NAME”
Good luck!
African-American Community Should Embrace Gay Rights
 by Byron Williams
Columnist, pastor of the Resurrection Community Church Oakland, CA
Posted March 22, 2009
Whenever there is a discussion about gay rights and the African-American community, someone can be depended upon to offer the juvenile critique that the cause of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community is not the same as the historical Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and '60s.
It's not uncommon to hear African-American pastors suggest "my skin cannot be compared with their sin" as a way to poetically justify their homophobia.
This argument assumes a collective understanding of what the Civil Rights Movement is and what the LGBT movement is not.
Read the full article here.
Action Alert:
Keep the NAACP Moving Forward!
Last week, the national office of the NAACP leapt into the Prop. 8 controversy when it sent a letter to California legislators urging them to support legislation that would repeal Prop. 8. After meeting with the National Black Justice Coalition, a black LGBT-rights group, and the leadership of the California State Conference, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond and NAACP President Ben Jealous agreed to come out publicly in support of repealing Prop. 8.
NBJC recognizes the courage it took to state plainly what we've known all along; LGBT rights ARE civil rights, and as such they are core to the NAACP's founding values. We congratulate them on taking a stand for their beliefs, and invite NBJC members, friends and supporters to thank them for their leadership, and to take a stand alongside the NAACP in support of equal rights for ALL people of color.
NBJC's National Town Hall focusing on the intersection of race and sexual orientation is only a few weeks away! Moving Beyond History will be a conversation between African American lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people and mainstream LGBT organizations. This groundbreaking discussion will be held on March 28th, 2009 at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, CA, and is particularly important given the racial tensions revealed in the aftermath of the passage of Proposition.
Renowned comedienne and social critic Karen Williams will bring her considerable experience to the event as the moderator. Panelist include NBJC founding Board member Jasmyne Cannick a well-known blogger and political commentator, Jon Hoadley, executive director of Stonewall Democrats, longtime LGBT activist and leader Dr. Marjorie Hill, CEO of Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) national Board member the Rev. Amos Brown who has been a leading African American voice for equality.
Click here for more, including speaker information!
what do Bishop Yvette Flunder,
Michael Eric Dyson,
and Al Sharpton have in common?
Video excerpts from each of these dynamic speakers at the NBJC Black Church Summit is online now.
Click here for 2007 Black Church Summit highlights.
Like what you see? Consider being a part of this year's Black Church Summit, with featured guests Bishop Yvette Flunder and Rev. Frederick Haynes! More information and registration are available here - we hope to see you there!
Last week, the national office of the NAACP took its first stance on gay marriage rights. The move thrusts the debate over gay rights in the black community back into the spotlight.
From The American Prospect
by Adam Serwer | March 4, 2009
The NAACP has been walking a tightrope on gay rights. Polls show that African Americans overwhelmingly oppose gay marriage, but much of the high-level leadership of the nation's oldest civil-rights organization opposes legal efforts to deny gays the right to marry. Last week, the national office of the NAACP leapt into the fray when it sent a letter to California legislators urging them to support legislation that would repeal Prop. 8. After meeting with the National Black Justice Coalition, a black LGBT-rights group, and the leadership of the California State Conference, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond and NAACP President Ben Jealous agreed to come out publicly in support of repealing Prop. 8.
Read the full article here.
Guest Commentary From The Victory Fund
This week as the National Black Justice Coalition recognizes African-American leaders, we must also continue to highlight the importance of electing openly LGBT candidates who reflect the breadth and depth of the diversity of America. Together with NBJC and the NBJC Action Fund, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund works to foster African-American LGBT leadership throughout America.
In May of 2008 Victory Fund endorsee Lawrence Webb became Virginia’s first openly gay African-American elected official when he won a seat on the Falls Church City Council. Webb won because he focused on issues important to his constituents, and shared his ideas about smart growth, public education, and responsive government. In a crowded field of seven candidates, Webb’s message resonated loudly enough to earn him a four-year term on the council. Today he continues to advocate for his community and in doing so is also changing the hearts and minds of both his constituents and his peers.
Earlier, in January of last year, Denise Simmons became the nation’s first openly lesbian African-American mayor. She had served on the Cambridge, Massachusetts City Council since 2001, and was elected by her peers to the city’s top post. Mayor Simmons now speaks nationally about the need for openly LGBT people to step up to public service. Additionally, Mayor Bruce Harris of Chatham, New Jersey, and State Representative Jason Bartlett of Bethel, Connecticut were each able to win re-election in difficult campaigns.
Last year both Keisha Waites and Inga Taylor sought to become the first openly lesbian African American to be elected to a state legislature. To imagine that this historic landmark could be accomplished in either Atlanta, Georgia or Wichita, Kansas was inspiring to people through the country. In partnership with the NBJC Action Fund, the Victory Fund advised both endorsed candidates throughout their elections. Unfortunately neither of them were victorious, but both communities are forever changed because of the dialogue their candidacies created. Waites and Taylor remain involved in their communities and have a bright future ahead of them.
All of these candidates, victorious or not, follow in the footsteps of openly LGBT African-American elected officials who have come before them, and who have looked to organizations like the Victory Fund and NBJC for early and strong support. We are proud to make that happen, and to grow our partnership to make sure we’re helping to build a more representative democracy. In this newsletter you will read about leaders that have already lead distinguished careers and with your help we can continue to groom the next generation of out Black leaders.
Learn more about the Victory Fund at www.victoryfund.org.
Join NBJC's email list here!
| 
