While anti-gay organizations have promoted African-American leaders who oppose equal treatment for same-sex couples, in fact many black leaders support equality and oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment. This document has been prepared and updated by the National Black Justice Coalition.

• “I believe in equal human rights, before the law, for all human beings, and race, gender, disability, class or sexual orientation should not be a factor under the law.” — Rev. Al Sharpton
• “I believe this is a civil rights issue.” — Carol Moseley Braun
• “It is time to say forthrightly that the government’s exclusion of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters from civil marriage officially degrades them and their families.” — Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)