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 NAACP Chair: Civil Unions are Unequal


JULIAN BOND X390 (GETTY) | ADVOCATE.COM

NAACP board chairman Julian Bond was one of several speakers appearing at the New Jersey senate judiciary committee hearing on a pending marriage equality bill. On Monday he voiced his support for the bill, which eventually passed the committee on a 7-6 vote.

"Black people, among all people, should not oppose equality," Bond said, "and that is what gay marriage represents. It does not matter the rationale — religious, cultural, pseudo-scientific — no people of good will should oppose marriage equality, and they should not think that civil unions are a substitute. At best, civil unions are separate but equal, and we all know that separate is never equal."

Bond, the head of the nation's leading advocacy group for African-Americans, has been an outspoken supporter for gay rights. His organization also supported the effort to repeal California's Proposition 8 in February. The NAACP was also a cosponsor of the National Equality March in October. In 2005 the organization's board passed a resolution to support laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation as well as other attributes.

The full New Jersey senate is scheduled to vote on the bill Thursday.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Paul
    Date posted: 12/9/2009 10:51:45 PM
    Hometown: Minneapolis

    Comment:

    Alex, I home someone DOES complain about the comparison of black civil rights with GLBT civil rights. I would love to hear Mr. Bond's eloquant and well-thought-out response.

  • Name: John ADRIAN
    Date posted: 12/9/2009 4:47:16 PM
    Hometown: Staten Island, New YOrk

    Comment:

    Too bad Mr. Bond didn't speak to the New York State Senate. But then, would the likes of Reuben Diaz, Sr. listen?

  • Name: Alex
    Date posted: 12/9/2009 4:00:07 PM
    Hometown: Albany

    Comment:

    I just wonder if HE will get attacked by people for comparing black rights to gay rights too. Is it a perfect 1:1 comparison? No of course not. But anyone who doesn't see the similarities is a fool, and this man is obviously no fool. We need more people like him. Not just the LGBT community, but the whole world needs people like him. Someone has to take our destiny out of the hands of hyper right wing bible thumping crazies. I just wish that such rationality and logic could actually be effective against such willful ignorance and hate.

  • Name: Doug
    Date posted: 12/9/2009 3:16:43 PM
    Hometown: Massena, NY

    Comment:

    The so called "LGBT rights organizations" might want to take notes on this man and pull their heads out of Obama's lying ass.

  • Name: Jonathan
    Date posted: 12/9/2009 3:07:16 PM
    Hometown: Oakland

    Comment:

    Julian Bond is more than the head of the NAACP. He is a well-intentioned, eloquent, intelligent and sincere man - too bad there aren't many more like him. I have always admired Julian Bond.

  • Name: Bob Smullen
    Date posted: 12/9/2009 2:50:07 PM
    Hometown: Hackensack, NJ

    Comment:

    I struggle to find the right words to express how strongly I feel about Marriage Equality and about how I feel about those who oppose equality. After hearing the self satisfied statements of hatred, I am often left either speechless or filled with the desire to let loose with a string of expletives. Along comes Julian Bond with his statement. Such eloquence is a hallmark of truth and is truly inspired by God. “It does not matter the rationale — religious, cultural, pseudo-scientific — no people of good will should oppose marriage equality, and they should not think that civil unions are a substitute.” Thank you Mr. Bond.

  • Name: alicia banks
    Date posted: 12/9/2009 2:38:36 PM
    Hometown: chicago, il

    Comment:

    i really love this man! thanks! alicia banks- eloquent fury

  • Name: Eli
    Date posted: 12/9/2009 2:23:56 PM
    Hometown: Washington, DC

    Comment:

    Mr. Bond is an admirable man who fully understands the meaning of equal rights. I just wish more people of all communities would be more like him.



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