The California chapter of the NAACP under President Alice Huffman has been a steadfast and courageous supporter of marriage equality since 2004. But Huffman took some heavy criticism from the national organization which -- despite having the extraordinary pro-gay civil rights icon Julian Bond as Board Co-chair -- refused to endorse full equal rights for LGBT people, including same gender-loving African Americans.
Having a prominent national civil rights organization dedicated to justice and equality hold a "neutral" position on discrimination against same sex couples was a disconnect that came to the fore post-Prop 8 when another prominent civil rights group -- the Southern Christian Leadership Conference -- reportedly wanted to fire SCLC/LA head Rev. Eric Lee over his strong stand for marriage equality. Were the NAACP and SCLC "neutral" over interracial marriage in the case of Loving v. Virginia?
I raised the issue of "neutrality" with SCLC's General Counsel Dexter M. Wimbish when I interviewed him about Lee's situation. Wimbish said:
I personally understand that position. I imagine that in the 1960s the same argument was made about why some organizations were 'neutral' about segregation, for instance. But this organization is not at a point where it will take a public position on the issue. It just means that inside the organization and outside, we have work to do. This is Dr. King's organization and personally, I would hope that we can come together to dialogue and address those issues.
It appears the NAACP is ready to have that dialogue. On July 25 at 2:00pm at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the NAACP will hold its first-ever town hall meeting to discuss LGBT issues. The event will be moderated by recently out CNN anchor Don Lemmon and include married comedienne Wanda Sykes. The town hall meeting is one of several panels and workshops the NAACP is having at its convention that starts Friday and runs through Thursday, July 28 Here's a link to the day-by-day schedule. Also -- please note that AIDS at 30 will be the topic of the luncheon speakers on Saturday.
In a press release, pro-gay NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous said:
Black members of the LGBT community share a common history and continued struggle to address issues of bigotry, yet their identities, talents and leadership are often times diminished because of homophobia and fear of physical violence. It is important that we address these issues head on.
The press release says that the LGBT forum:
will examine the significant contributions of black gay leaders within the Civil Rights movement, the role of black straight allies in addressing homophobia, and how we can collectively overcome LGBT discrimination within the black community.
Panelists also include Professor Beverly Guy-Sheftall of Spelman College, actor Daryl Stephen and writer, scholar and activist Kenyon Farrow.
Here an earlier schedule with highlights for the convention. Please note that the LGBT town hall does not appear here -- but has since been posted.