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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 6, 2004)
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A s for who will handle issues better, among reg istered voters, 46 percent say Bush is closer to the their view on same-sex marriage; 33 percent side with Kerry. n attempt to amend the North Carolina Constitu tion to prohibit marriage be tween same-sex couples— as well as civil unions and domestic partnerships— failed when the rohibiting marriage equality is Legislature adjourned July 18. discriminatory and unfairly “No constitution should he denies same-sex couples and their used to discriminate,” said Cheryl families more than 1,000 federal ben Jacques, Human Rights C am efits, rights and privileges, the nations paign president. “Every North largest association of psychologists Carolinian deserves to have the said in a resolution adopted July 28 at same rights and freedoms under its annual meeting in Hawaii. their constitution." The American Psychological The statewide queer rights Association also expressed opposition group Equality North Carolina to discrimination against gay and les worked arduously to defeat the bian parents in adoption, child cus measure. "This victory sends a tody and visitation, foster care and message that our community can H R C president Cheryl Jacques (center, with U .S . Sen. Hillary Rodham reproductive health services. effectively mobilize to stop dis Clinton, D-N.Y., and entertainer Rosie O ’Donnell) expressed relief that “ Discrimination of all kinds takes criminatory state constitutional the North Carolina Constitution won’t be amended a toll on people’s health and psycho- amendments,” said lan Palmquist, his agenda of promoting discrimination and divi- logical well-being,” said Armand R. Cerbone, a executive director of programs. Chicago psychologist who led the working sion undermines our families.” A total of 25 states introduced legislation group that developed the policy recommenda Coalition vice president Donna Payne this year that sought to amend their constitu tions. “ In the context of the huge social and tions to prohibit the performance and/or recog added: “President Bush is selling wolf tickets to political debate that is the African American community by using the nition of marriages between same-sex couples faith-based initiative and black ministers to dis currently going on, and in some cases civil unions and domestic A PA and psychologists criminate against black gays and lesbians. We partnerships as well. had to grapple with the • Legislatures in 15 states staved off discrim are offended that President Bush has used Rev. issue of what psycholo Butler to accompany him at the convention." inatory amendments: Alabama, Arizona, gy believes is in the Delaware, Kansas, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, public interest in this Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North controversy.” everal recently released polls hold some Carolina, Vermont and Washington. The A PA support promising— and some depressing— news for • Amendments initiated by legislators or cit follows similar gay- and queer voters: izens will appear on ballots in 11 states: Oregon, family-friendly resolu • Black Entertainment Television/CBS Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michi Armand R. Cerbone from other News: When it comes to education, jobs and ille tions gan, Montana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma respected professional organizations, including gal drugs, African American voters largely support and Utah. • Signatures continue to he gathered in government programs to help with these con the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, National Asso cerns. But they take a more conservative position Ohio and North Dakota to put amendments on ciation of Social Workers, National Council on than the public overall on one issue: same-sex the November ballot. Adoptable Children and American Psychoana marriage. More than half (53 percent) think there • Three state legislatures— Massachusetts, lytic Association. should he no legal recognition— neither marriage Tennessee and Wisconsin— must rcapprove "Utilizing sound information and research, amendments that were passed in the 2004 ses nor civil unions— of same-sex relationships. the APA continues to support full equality for Among the nations voters as a whole, 39 percent sion in their upcoming sessions. our families," said Aimee Gelnaw, Family Pride share this view. About 43 percent of black voters Coalition executive director. “They share our support some type of legal recognition for same- NATIONAL understanding that families are best served he National Black Justice Coalition cau sex couples; among all voters, 59 percent do. when they have access to all the protections Much of the objections are religious ones: Among tioned President Bush not to use African that come with marriage and that children are devout African Americans who attend church Americans to spread his anti-gay message. weekly, more than seven in 10 oppose legal recog best served when raised in stable and loving The organization issued the statement July 23 families. Our families are helped, and no one nition of same-sex relationships. after he delivered one of the keynote addresses at else is harmed, when we are treated equally.” • Terra.com: Young adult Latinos set aside the 2004 National Urban League Convention in tahxxis and are open to homosexuality; however, Detroit. Bush was accompanied by the Rev. Keith 52.8 percent oppose same-sex marriage. “It’s been OHIO Butler, pastor of Word of Faith Ministries in South- ambda Legal asked an Ohio appeals court my experience that Latinos tend to oppose dis field, Mich. He is one of the leaders of a coalition crimination against any July 13 to follow state law and allow a les of African American clergy bian couple to protect their relationship with segment, hut this response supporting the Federal Mar to the issue of gay marriages the child they are raising together. riage Amendment. Cheryl and Jennifer McKetrick were denied can likely be attributed to “African Americans the strength of our cultural a shared custtxly agreement for their child, know better than anyone "Baby J,” by a Warren County court last year. traditions," said Daniela that separate does not mean Resendez, 22-year-old Breaking from legal precedent, the lower court equal,” coalition member student at University of found that because the couple might provide Jasmyne Cannick said. Texas Pan American in some security for “Baby J” through other d<Ku- “Blacks arc not interested in Edinburgh. ments like powers of attorney or wills, it didn't writing discrimination into a • Association for the need to approve a formal custixly agreement. Constitution that never had Advancement of Retired “The judge made a m istake,” attorney our interests at heart to People: 26 percent of the Heather Sawyer said. “Cheryl and Jennifer are begin with but only made 77 million strong baby loving parents,* and adjustments over the last few Hximer generation support ‘Baby J ’ is thriving in years to he more inclusive of same-sex marriage, com their care. But an agree some and not others.” pared with only 11 percent ment like this assures During his speech, Bush of the G ! generation. them the security and asserted his support for • Newsweek: Coming protection every family strong families and marriage. out of the final two days of needs. The patchwork of “President Bush chal the Democratic National other documents sug lenged us to look at his agen Convention, U .S. Sen. gested by the court does da,” said H. Alexander not excuse its refusal to Robinson, the coalitions Donna Payne criticized President Bush John Kerry of Massachu- allow them to have the Heather Sawyer for using the faith-based initiative and setts leads President Bush strategic director, who formal agreement they attended the convention. black ministers to discriminate against 52 percent to 44 percent, African American gays and lesbians reflecting a four-point i want and need. Ohio law clearly favors custtxJy “Well, we have looked, and T L
