NAACP Gets Behind Obama on Marriage Equlity

Every since President Obama announced his personal feeling that same sex couples deserve the right to marry, there has been a furry of support as well as dissent.  Initially, several ministers warned the President that he would lose support of the   African American vote next November.   Their arguments are the same – marriage has always been between one man and one woman – its an abomination, God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Stever….. Yawn.

Last week, some noted black celebrities have supported Obama’s announcement.  I posted about Jay Z’s endorsement then, but since then there have been more.   Boxer Floyd Mayweather tweeted:

“I stand behind President Obama & support gay marriage. I’m an American citizen & I believe people should live their life the way they want.”

Will Smith said in an interview:

“”if anybody can find someone to love them and to help them through this difficult thing that we call life, I support that in any shape or form.”

But marriage advocates received a huge endorsement Saturday.  The NAACP, the oldest African American civil rights group in the country, passed a resolution supporting Marriage Equality.  The president and CEO, Benjamin Todd Jealous, said:

“Civil marriage is a civil right and a matter of civil law.  The NAACP’s support for marriage equality is deeply rooted in the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution and equal protection of all people.”

I’m sure the African American community as a whole will be slow to support marriage equality, but this seems like a good start!