Today
the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) launched an
ad featuring civil rights leader and Baptist minister Al Sharpton for
its Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. In the ad, Sharpton, who is the host of MSNBC’s PoliticsNation,
says “If committed gay and lesbian couples want to marry, that’s their
business. None of us should stand in their way.”
“Al Sharpton has always fought against discrimination, even in the face
of adversity,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “And while the fight
for marriage equality won’t be easy, fairness and equality for gay and
lesbian couples will ultimately prevail.”
The Rev. Al Sharpton is a Baptist minister and longtime civil rights
activist. In 2004, he campaigned for the Democratic Party presidential
nomination, and spoke out in favor of marriage equality at an HRC
Presidential Forum moderated by ABC News. “[Asking me if I support gay
marriage] is like asking me if I support black marriage or white
marriage. The inference of the question is that gays are not human
beings and cannot make a decision like other human beings." Sharpton’s
National Action Network has been successful in increasing voter
education, providing services to those in poverty, and supporting small
community businesses. Presently he is the host of MSNBC’s PoliticsNation.
This is the thirteenth video released by HRC for the Americans
campaign. Past videos feature Lloyd Blankfein, U.S. Sen. Al Franken,
Michael K. Williams, Aisha Tyler, Dee Rees and Kim Wayans, Scott Fujita,
Josh Charles, Katori Hall, John Leguizamo, Julian Bond, Mo’Nique, and
Mayor Cory Booker.
