Last week, the House and Senate passed the Respect for Marriage Act, codifying federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages. The bill was passed by a bipartisan coalition of Democrat and Republican lawmakers.
The NAACP released the following statement in response:
“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.”
