NAACP Endorses Marriage Equality

BREAKING: NAACP Endorses Marriage Equality

By Judd Legum posted from ThinkProgress LGBT on May 19, 2012 at 3:32 pm

The board of the NAACP, the “nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization,” endorsed marriage equality at a meeting this afternoon. The move comes 10 days after President Obamaannounced his support of same-sex marriage.

The NAACP’s move comes as attitudes about gays and lesbians in the African American community are changing rapidly. A recent poll found that 54% of African Americans supported President Obama’s recent decision.

Maxim Thorne, formerly of the NAACP, broke the news over Twitter:

Maxim Thorne@Maximthorne

The NAACP Board of Directors has just endorsed marriage equality unequivocally. Only two opposed! An historic moment.

19 May 12

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Since Obama’s announcement, numerous influential political figures — including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and House Assistant Minority Leader James Clyburn — have joined him in supporting marriage equality.

UPDATE

The NAACP confirms their decision with the New York Times: “We have and will oppose efforts to codify discrimination into law.”