NAACP Celebrates Senate's Passage of the Respect for Marriage Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

December 1, 2022

Contact: Vanessa Mbonu, vmbonu@naacpnet.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The NAACP released the following statement in response to the US Senate passing the Respect for Marriage Act: 

"In 2022, no person should have to fight for their government to recognize their marriage based on who they love. The passage of the Respect for Marriage Act marks a critical, historic victory for civil rights in America. With the Loving v. Virginia and Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decisions at risk of reversal, our country has reached a pivotal juncture in the fight for marriage equality," said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson. 

"This legislation sends a strong message that our leaders in Congress affirm the fundamental rights that these landmark cases secured and provides welcome reassurance for couples across the country who have faced discrimination due to the Defense of Marriage Act. Every individual deserves the right to live openly and to love who they love without fear. The NAACP applauds this bi-partisan effort to ensure federal recognition of marriage regardless of race or gender." 

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About NAACP

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation's first civil and human rights law organization and shares our commitment to equal rights.