UUA President William Sinkford Joins Community Leaders in Support of African American and Latino/Latina Legislators at Massachusetts State House

(March 25, 2004) At a press conference today at the Massachusetts State House, UUA President William Sinkford joined other African American community leaders in speaking out against a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages. The event was held as a show of support for Massachusetts legislators of color who have argued eloquently and passionately that marriage equality is a civil rights issue. Several of these legislators, including Sen. Diane Wilkerson, Rep. Byron Rushing, and Rep. Marie St. Fleur, attended the press conference and thanked the community leaders for their support.

UUA President William Sinkford at rally

Rev. Sinkford thanked the representatives for their leadership in this important justice issue, and addressed the complex reality of “linked oppressions.” He declared to an enthusiastic audience, “Not all gays and lesbians are white. And not all blacks and latinos are straight.” Speaking about the importance of the rights guaranteed to all citizens by the constitution, Sinkford urged all legislators not to “write discrimination into this foundational document.”

“As a straight man,” said Sinkford, “I have never been denied the right to visit my partner in the hospital. But as a black man, I know what it’s like to attend a segregated school. I have never feared being rejected by my family because of who I am, but I do know what it’s like to have to use separate drinking-fountains. I have never had to settle for a civil union, but I know what it’s like to be treated as a second-class citizen.”

Other speakers at the press conference included David Harris, executive director for the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights; Tracey Maclin, President of the Massachusetts chapter of the ACLU; Margaret Burnham, Professor of Law at Northeastern University; and Denise Simmons, Cambridge City Councilor.

The event was organized by MassEquality, a coalition of local and national groups dedicated to ensuring that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision on marriage equality is upheld, and that any anti-gay amendment or legislation is defeated.

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100