Pro vs Con: Same-Sex Marriage and the Black Church
Sharon Lettman-Hicks, Executive Director for the National Black Justice Coalition
What is your stance on same-sex marriage? Why?
The National Black Justice Coalition is a staunch supporter of marriage equality as it pertains to the movement of seeking benefits for same-sex couples. Lesbians and gays who are in committed relationships who would like the opportunity to take it to the next level to benefit from the covenant of marriage, the mutual support, property rights, protection for families, and the thousands of federal protections that come along with being married, to me, as a representative advocating for the rights of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, they should be able to benefit from any rights that are afforded those who live in this country.
Are there any exceptions?
No. Whatever the legal systems allows those who would like to be married under the rights of the United States of America, I don’t believe there should be, in any way, shape of form, any exception for lesbian and gay couples.