Divine Intervention
NAACP’s Brooks will walk thin line on same sex marriage
naacp.org
(TriceEdneyWire.com) -The newly selected NAACP president, the Rev. Cornell William Brooks, indicates he will walk a thin line in order to defend the NAACP’s stance on same-sex marriage and keep his ordination as a minister in the African American Episcopal Church (AMEC). That’s because while the NAACP’s 64-member board, two years ago, voted to support “marriage equality” -- marriage between people of the same gender -- the AME church’s Board of Brooks (left) says he does not see a conflict between the NAACP’s position on same-sex marriage and his religious views. Bishops has voted emphatically against it. When the NAACP followed by to eliminate discrimination in this Brooks, a fourth generation officially announcing its position country, and we will always welordained minister who is an as- May 19, 2012, at least one NAACP come diverse voice at our table.” sociate minister at the Turner president, an ordained minister, The AME Church Discipline Memorial AME Church in Hyatts- resigned because of it. states as follows: “The AMEC beville, Md., said he sees no conflict The Rev. Keith Ratliff, then lieves that unions of any kind bebetween the opposing views and president of the NAACP Iowa- tween persons of the same sex or that he will be prepared to fully Nebraska conference and pastor gender are contrary to the will of address his position during the of Maple Street Missionary Baptist God. Therefore, the AMEC strictly NAACP annual convention in Las Church in Des Moines, Iowa, re- prohibits and forbids any AMEC Vegas July 19-23. signed from the organization “due clergy person, licensed and/or or “This role is one of civil rights to the NAACP’s position and sup- dained from performing or particileadership; not necessarily one of a port of same-sex marriage,” quotes pating in or giving any blessing to theological authority,” Brooks said Charisma News in June 2012. any ceremony designed to result in an interview in any pairwith the Trice ing between Edney News persons of the Wire. “I want same sex gento be clear that der, including, people of faith but not limited are still citi– Roslyn Brock, NAACP Chairman on marriage equality to, marriage or zens of this Recivil unions.” public and it is In an not inconsistent to recognize the NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. interview days after his appointrights of gays and lesbians under Brock, responded then in a state- ment, Brooks who leaves his role the Constitution that protects Af- ment issued to Charisma: “The as president and CEO at the New rican Americans, Latinos, Asians NAACP strongly affirms his per- Jersey Institute for Social Justice and everyone else.” sonal convictions as we do the re- based in Newark, ticked off a list of He concluded, “I don’t find any ligious conscience of all people as civil rights, educational, economic irreconcilable differences between protected under the First Amend- and criminal justice issues that are me honoring my faith tradition, ment … The constitution of the high on the NAACP agenda, he which prohibits me from marrying NAACP states that our mission is indicated that he looks forward to – not only people of the same gen- to ensure the political, educational, further discussion on the issue of der – but people who are in fact social and economic equality of all marriage equality. divorced.” He pointed out that the people. He stated: “I just don’t see a AMEC discipline is also against re- “ … We affirm that civil mar- conflict ... If we are willing to talk marriage of divorced people. But riage is a civil right, and our to conservatives who disagree divorce and remarriage is not an support for marriage equality is with some of the NAACP’s posiissue before the NAACP. consistent with equal protection tions or liberals who disagree with The same-sex marriage issue under the law provided by the some of the NAACP’s positions, has been a stickler in the Black Fourteenth Amendment of the why can’t we be in conversation community; especially in the Black United States Constitution,” said and in dialogue with people who church, particularly since Presi- Brock. “We understand that there disagree with our position on mardent Obama announced his sup- will sometimes be differences of riage equality even as we defend port for it in the spring of 2012. opinion in our ongoing struggle it?”
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By Hazel Trice Edney
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