NBJC applauds the 11-to-2 passage of marriage equality legislation by the Washington D.C. City Council late this afternoon. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has said he will sign the legislation into law.“The families of our LGBT sisters and brothers deserve the same rights and protections as any others, and this legislation absolutely strengthens families,” said NBJC Executive Director Sharon J. Lettman. “We celebrate this victory along with all those who have worked to ensure that civil rights in our nation's capital apply to everyone.”
This legislation makes Washington D.C. the nation's first southern jurisdiction to pass marriage equality legislation. D.C. already recognizes marriages performed in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont, each of which passed laws supporting marriage equality earlier this year.
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The National Black Justice Coalition (www.NBJC.org) is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Its mission is to end racism and homophobia. NBJC envisions a world where all people are fully empowered to participate safely, openly and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender-identity, or sexual orientation.