Jumping theBroom A BLACK PERSPECTIVE ON SAME-GENDER MARRIAGE Contents 5 Same-Sex Marriage: A Matter of Civil Rights? 6 Isn’t Marriage a Religious Institution? 9 Getting to the Heart of the Matter 12 Is Marriage Equality a “Civil Right”? 16 Why Not Civil Unions or Domestic Partnerships? 20 Maryland’s Treatment of Gay and Lesbian Couples 23 Interracial Marriage Bans vs. Same-Sex Marriage Bans Jumping the Broom: A Black Perspective on Same-Gender Marriage is a joint publication of Equality 25 Is Marriage a Constitutional Right? Maryland Foundation, Inc., 8121 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, 301-587-7500, 888-440-9944, 301-587-6909 fax,
[email protected]., www.EqualityMaryland.org. 28 Where Does the Black Community Stand? and National Black Justice Coalition, 1725 I Street, N.W., Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20006, 202-349-3755, 202-349-3757 fax,
[email protected], www.nbjcoalition.org. 32 Same-Sex Marriage and the Protection of Children © 2005 Equality Maryland Foundation, Inc. and National Black Justice Coalition. All rights 35 Th e Least of Th ese: Marriage Discrimination Harms Children reserved. 38 Marriage Discrimination: Particularly Harmful to Black Families Publication of the name or photograph of a person does not indicate the sexual orientation of the person or necessarily constitute an en dorse ment of Equality Maryland Foundation, Inc., the 40 Marriage Discrimination Breaks Up Families National Black Justice Coalition or the policies of either organization. Some photographs in this publication use professional models. 42 Marriage Inequality Aff ects the Health of Black Families 44 America is Behind the Times Special thank you to Freedom to Marry and the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice for making this publication a reality.