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bounce since early July. 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