Julian Bond, the NAACP chairman and Queerty hero, was on hand yesterday at New Jersey’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gay marriage. And because this is a man of eloquence, he delivered on all the right notes — without sounding preachy, or wiser-than-thou. He also addressed a glaring error in his organization’s history: a refusal to publicly support same-sex marriage.
But testifying in Trenton, Bond encountered “ambivalence” from lawmakers.
The great organizer of the student non-violent protests and chairman of the NAACP eloquently argued that extending marriage rights to gay couples was a natural extension of the Civil Rights movement. He said gays were active supporters of those struggles 50 years ago, and it would be nothing short of betrayal not to back gays in their bid for the “right of universal citizenship.”
“How can I turn my back on them and deny the rights they helped me win?” he told the panel.
But that argument did little to persuade one African-American legislator, whom Bond wouldn’t identify, in a private meeting earlier in the day.
“You know this legislator said, ‘Five years from now, this will happen, and we will be asking ourselves what this was all about,’Ÿ” said Bond, who refused to attend Coretta Scott King’s funeral because the minister presiding over the service was an adamant foe of gay marriage.
Bond’s testimony begins at 1:10:
(Video via Rob 2.0; Audio via TNCRM)
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Cam
Wow! So not only is Julian Bond saying that the board of the NAACP supports gay rights, compares gay marriage to interacial marraige, and that gay rights are civil rights, he invokes Correta Scott King, saying that she believes gay rights are civil rights.
It’s amazing and a great thing to hear. Thank you Mr. Bond!
Jurlesia
Julia Bond, one of the few still keeping the spirit of Dr. King alive…
Taylor Siluwé
I love this man. I’m glad to see he’s recovered from his recent health emergency which caused him to miss the In The Life season premiere gala where he was being honored. All of us present were disappointed and saddened that he was unwell.
But it’s equality supporters like the level-headed Mr. Bond who will help us get over the final hurdle, and bless him and all our hetero supporters for that.
terrwill
Can we all give a huge FUCK YOU! to Bernice King now???
Taylor Siluwe
YES – a big ol’ gay fuck you bitch!
Chitown Kev
@Terrwill
Yep. And Miss Bernice can take her “sanctified soul” out with the trash that passes for her brain.
WillBFair
What an elegant guy. I bless his name.
But I still think civil unions are the way to go. The polls are with us on that, and it would give us momentum for marraige down the line, and for a host of other rights.
WillBFair
As for Miss Bernice, how typical. The black church is full to bursting with homophobes. It’s sad to see how quickly oppressed people can turn on others. It’s also ironic that they use the same type of obscure bible passages against us that were used against them.
Attmay
@8 WillBFair:
As Shakespeare once said, “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.”
meltelly
This man is awesome. Every soundbite I ever hear in referance to him is spot on….Nice to know he is of sound mind.
blackjack44
does anyone know where else i can listen to this? it wont play in my browser.
jason
Let’s not be too harsh on Bernice King. She’s entitled to her opinion.
What we should do is address the issues in a clear, calm way. We need to point out that gay marriage is gay civil marriage, not religious marriage. It’s a civil contract.
Jaroslaw
Well, with all due respect, and I do mean that; what is this “Five years from now…..” bit? It would be very easy to cite that the sky hasn’t fallen in Massachussetts where they actually have Gay Marriage!
Finally, if the article says Bond is advocating marriage, why does the headline say “civil unions are separate but equal?”
Chitown Kev
@WillBFair
Yeah, it’s full to bursting with gays and lesbians too… Sometimes, the gays and the homophobes are one and the same.
Mike in Brooklyn
When I read the headline, I was fucking furious: Per Queerty, Julian Bond says, “Civil unions are separate but equal.” WTF??? Separate IS equal; Julian Bond said that???!!!
And since your link fails to work, I googled Julian Bond and the quote, to find out, with great relief, that Julian Bond said, “…and we know that separate is NEVER equal…”
So now I am mad at Queerty. The headline should have been: Julian Bond: Separate is NEVER Equal.
Julian Bond is a man of unsurpassed integrity, honor, conscience, and courage. To bait readers by implying otherwise is just plain snaky. There will be many who have no idea who Julian Bond is, will glance at your headline, and assume that he is just another turncoat to civil rights as Bernice King. That is wrong.
From your post about “Douchefag” and the many angry on both sides responses, Queerty has plenty posts to entice readers. You owe Bond a new headline, one that clearly states his view of civil rights for all.
terrwill
No. 12 · Jason: Everytime that vile witch Bernice opens
her mouth her Father turns another spin in his grave. He
lost his life simply seeking equal rights and protections
for the blacks. Being Gay is no more a choice than being
black. For Bernice to deny any group the same thing her
Father was murdered for is despicable and she spits on his
memory every time she opens her vile mouth…….
Bill Perdue
Julian Bond is absolutely right. Civil unions are totally inferior to marriage and deliberately so. They confer second class rights and second class citizenship. Those who accept that demean themselves and our struggle.
All the rights, tax breaks and other privileges of heterosexual marriage should be accorded to everyone partnering up no matter what kind of partnership. They should also apply to unmarried relatives living together and single people.
We need nothing less than full rights and full citizenship for ourselves and everyone. But we won’t get it as long as bigots like Clinton, Bush and Obama get elected.
Taylor Siluwé
@ no. 5 Mike in Brooklyn ….
I TOTALLY agree! The headline is terrible. It should at least have a question mark (Julian Bond: ‘Civil Unions are Separate but Equal?’)
I missed that obvious ploy for hits. It does a huge disservice to a die-hard equality supporter — and man who, while battling health issues, continues to tirelessly push for OUR equality.
Therefore, Queerty, that headline is a low down dirty shame.