Today’s show is a panel discussion with gay rights supporters from the black community. After Californians voted in favor of the ballot initiative Proposition 8 to ban gay marriage earlier this month, many were quick to point to the black community’s support of the measure. However, polls have shown that less blacks voted to ban gay marriage than was initially thought, and many have pointed out that only 10% of the California voters in this election were black.
Our panelists questioned why so much blame was laid on the black community, as well as the tension within the black community surrounding marriage equality and gay rights. We were joined by Vanessa Bowling, President of Rainbow Soul, Morgan State University’s Gay/Straight Alliance, Mark McLaurin, Public Policy Director of the Public Justice Center, and Elbridge James, Director of the Maryland Black Family Alliance.