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Published on National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (http://www.thetaskforce.org)

False promises: How the right deploys homophobia to win support from African-Americans

Date

April 3, 2006

Short Description

African-Americans have been one of the Democratic Party’s most dependable voting blocs in recent decades. But since 2004, Republicans have been courting black voters with anti-same-sex-marriage rhetoric.

Summary

The Republican Party has attempted to appeal to black voters, yet:

  • Most African-Americans prioritize the economy, health care and education, and Republicans frequently vote against addressing these concerns.
  • Key African-American political and religious leaders, including Coretta Scott King, Rep. John Lewis, and Rev. Joseph Lowery, have called for African-Americans to support full legal and social equality for lesbian and gay Americans and to oppose the federal marriage amendment.

It is immoral to use uncertainty or fear about the notion of equality for LGBT Americans as a recruiting tool to support a policy agenda that is harmful to African-Americans.

Report Type

Report