African-American Religious and Civil Rights Leaders Speak Out for Marriage Equality

September 25, 2012

Today, the Advocate reported on the NAACP’s support for marriage equality in Maryland.The article also mentions our press conference last Friday, where almost a dozen prominent African-American religious leaders voiced their support for marriage equality, too.

The article reports that “Reverend Delman Coates of Mount Ennon Baptist Church in Prince George’s County reported an increase in attendance at his 8,000-member church after he backed the legislation pushed by Gov. Martin O’Malley in February. Last week Coates led a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., with other ministers, including the Reverend Al Sharpton. Organizers say the event was the first gathering of African-American clergy of national prominence to support marriage equality.”

In addition to The Advocate, the press conference was also covered by several other local and national news outlets:

• “African American Pastors For And Against Same Sex Marriage” -WMAL Radio, Washington, DC
• “Ministers express support for same-sex marriage” -WJZ 13 CBS TV, Baltimore
• “Black Ministers Express Support for Same-Sex Marriage” -WJLA 7 ABC TV, Washington, DC
• “LISTEN: Black Ministers To Back MD Gay Marriage – Will That Tip The Scale?” -WMAL Radio, Washington, DC
• “Rev. Al Sharpton Joins Md. Clergy In Expressing Support For Same-Sex Marriage” -WJZ 13 CBS TV, Baltimore
• “Al Sharpton, ministers support Maryland gay marriage” -WJLA 7 ABC TV, Washington, DC
• “Sharpton: Support Same-Sex Marriage” -WBAL Radio Baltimore
• “Black pastors state support for same-sex marriage” -Washington Post
• “Prominent black clergy support Maryland same-sex marriage” -Washington Post
• “Rev. Sharpton, black clergy urge support of Md. same-sex marriage referendum” -Washington Post
• “Black clergy back Md. same-sex marriage law” -Washington Blade
• “Al Sharpton, Leading Black Pastors Support Gay Marriage” -On Top Magazine
• “African-American Pastors Rally in Support of Maryland’s Question 6″ -Metro Weekly
• “Al Sharpton, black ministers voice support for Maryland marriage equality” -LGBTQ Nation
• “Al Sharpton and ministers express support for same-sex marriage”, Associated Press (picked up by Washington Post)