Al Sharpton

Vice President Joe Biden marched with black civil rights leaders in Selma, Alabama to commemorate the "Bloody Sunday" beating of voting rights marchers 48 years ago.

President Barack Obama on Thursday said the only thing keeping Republicans together was a desire to shield the rich from higher taxes, in a new jab over an imminent budget confrontation.

Busy Philipps is the latest celebrity to join the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. Busy Philipps is the latest celebrity to join the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. ?My husband and I are raising our daughter Birdie to live by the Golden Rule to treat others the way you wish to be treated. I feel like as Americans we should apply that to all aspects of life, including marriage,? Philipps says in the 30-second video released Thursday. ?Gay and lesbian couples just want the same rights that we all have, nothing more and nothing less,? she adds. The 33-year-old Philipps is best known for her supporting roles on the television series Freaks and Geeks and Dawson's Creek. She currently plays Laurie Keller on the ABC sitcom Cougar Town. Recent contributors to Americans for Marriage Equality include actors and real-life married couple Meghan Mullally and Nick Offerman, actor Stanley Tucci, actress Katey Sagal, actor

The Rev. Al Sharpton leads prominent African-American clergy in a video calling on Maryland voters to approve Question 6. The Rev. Al Sharpton leads prominent African-American clergy in a video calling on Maryland voters to approve Question 6, the November 6 referendum which asks voters to uphold ? or reject ? a gay marriage law approved? by lawmakers. In the nearly 3-minute video released Thursday by Marylanders for Marriage Equality, Sharpton says fairness is a hallmark value of the African-American community. ?Family, faith and fairness. These are the values that have held together the tapestry of the African-American community over time. It has not always been easy. And like most families, there are times when we don't agree,? Sharpton says. ?But we have learned how to stand together despite our differences,? adds the Rev. Delman Coates, senior pastor of the Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, Maryland. ?Acknowledging the importance of protecting the fundamental human and civil ri

Maryland voters appear increasingly likely to uphold a gay marriage law approved by lawmakers. With less than 3 weeks before Election Day, Maryland voters appear increasingly likely to uphold a gay marriage law approved by lawmakers. According to a poll released Thursday by The Washington Post, a narrow majority (52%) of voters say they favor the law. Forty-three percent of respondents say they will vote against the legislation. The measure's 9-point lead comes after opponents began airing ads calling on Marylanders to vote down Question 6, including one featuring Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk. A key demographic in the state is the African-American vote, which both camps have heavily targeted. The Post poll found 56 percent of white voters support marriage equality, while 39 percent remain opposed. But opposition among black voters holds an 11-point lead: 42 percent of black voters support the measure, and 53 percent oppose it. That's a stark difference to a Baltimore Sun poll rele

Support for Question 6, the Maryland referendum on upholding a gay marriage law, holds a 10-point lead. Support for Question 6, the Maryland referendum on upholding a gay marriage law approved by lawmakers, holds a 10-point lead, according to a survey released over the weekend. The survey of 804 likely voters was conducted by the Baltimore Sun between September 25 and 27. Forty-nine percent of respondents said they support legalizing gay nuptials, while 39 percent said they were opposed. Support among African-Americans, a key voting demographic in the state, has surged in recent months. In March, an OpinionWorks poll found greater opposition to marriage equality among blacks than support, with 43 percent opposed and 40 percent in favor. The new poll finds support among blacks at record highs, above 50 percent, and opposition at record lows, less than a quarter. President Barack Obama's May announcement in support of marriage equality ? which led to the NAACP's endorsement ? is believed

Actress Katey Sagal has said she believes it's crazy to deny gay and lesbian couples the right to marry. Actress Katey Sagal has said she believes it's crazy to deny gay and lesbian couples the right to marry. The 58-year-old Sagal, who is best known for portraying Peggy Bundy in the long-running Fox sitcom Married ? With Children, made her remarks in a 45-second video for the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. ?Hi, I'm Katey Sagal. ? I'm a wife and a mom and there is nothing more important to me than the well being of my family. So, it's absolutely crazy to me that most states are willingly harming families by denying gay and lesbian couples the right to marry. It just makes no sense,? she says in the clip. (The video is embedded on this page. Visit our video library for more videos.) Recent contributors to Americans for Marriage Equality include actors and real-life married couple Meghan Mullally and Nick Offerman, actor Stanley Tucci, actress Kri

Obama's spokesman on Monday said Obama respects the views of black pastors opposed to his support of gay marriage. White House spokesman Jay Carney on Monday said President Barack Obama respects the views of black pastors opposed to the president's support of gay marriage. Obama has been both praised and criticized for his May announcement in support of marriage equality. Black leaders held dueling press conferences on Friday reflecting both sides. The Rev. Al Sharpton called on Maryland voters to uphold a gay marriage law approved by lawmakers, while the Rev. Bill Owens for the third time called on African-American voters to reject Obama in November. (Related: Obama's gay marriage support is like waving your thing at God, Bill Owens says.) ?The president said at the time and firmly believes that people have different views on this issue, and he respects that,? Carney said in response to a question offered by gay weekly the Washington Blade. ?He has made it clear that his support for t

The Rev. Al Sharpton was among the prominent African-American pastors on Friday announcing their support for gay marriage. ?The Rev. Al Sharpton was among the prominent African-American pastors on Friday announcing their support for gay marriage. The coalition, led by the Rev. Delman Coates, senior pastor of the Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, Maryland, announced its support during a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. ?This is not an issue about gay or straight, this is an issue about civil rights and to take a position to limit the civil rights of any one is to take a position to limit the civil rights of everyone,? Sharpton, president of National Action Network, told reporters. ?This is a policy debate ? and we cannot be part-time civil-rights advocates. Those who disagree on a theological level, we should have that debate in our churches, in our houses of worship, in our seminaries. We should not legislate to say that we win the argument by forcing

A coalition of prominent African-American pastors on Friday will announce their support for gay marriage. ??A coalition of prominent African-American pastors on Friday will announce their support for gay marriage, in particular Maryland's upcoming referendum. The coalition, led by the Rev. Delman Coates, senior pastor of the Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, Maryland, will make their announcement during a press conference at the National Press Club. The Rev. Al Sharpton, president and CEO of the National Action Network, is expected to speak at the event. ?The group of pastors that will assemble have a range of personal religious views and church practices as it relates to same sex marriage,? Coates said in a statement. ?Some perform same sex marriages and others do not. And yet, we stand united in the conviction that the role of the state is to protect the equal rights of all its citizens and should not codify discrimination as a matter of law and public policy.? Maryland voters in

Wisconsin Rep. Gwen Moore is the latest politician to join HRC's Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. Wisconsin Representative Gwen Moore is the latest politician to join the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. ?I've always fought for equality and justice in America. Which is why I think it's wrong to tell two people in love they can't get married just because they're gay or lesbian,? Moore said in a 45-second video released Wednesday. ?Marriage is about love and commitment.? (The video is embedded on this page. Visit our video library for more videos.) On a biographical note, Moore is the first African-American elected to Congress from Wisconsin and the first woman to represent Wisconsin's 4th congressional district, which is based in Milwaukee. Recent contributors to Americans for Marriage Equality include actors and real-life married couple Meghan Mullally and Nick Offerman, actor Stanley Tucci, actress Kristen Bell, singer Jason Mraz, The Ta

New Yorkers gave a big sendoff to "Queen of Soul Food" Sylvia Woods, whose famed Harlem restaurant served everybody from Muhammad Ali to Bill Clinton, ahead of her burial Wednesday.

New Yorkers gave a big sendoff to "Queen of Soul Food" Sylvia Woods, whose famed Harlem restaurant served everybody from Muhammad Ali to Bill Clinton, ahead of her burial Wednesday.

Thousands of people marched in silence in New York to protest against street checks by police that rights activists say disproportionately target blacks and Hispanics.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is the latest politician join HRC's Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is the latest politician to join the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. ?I believe gays and lesbians should be afforded the same fundamental rights as all Americans: to love whomever they choose and to proclaim that love with marriage,? Villaraigosa said in a video released Thursday. ?I believe telling LGBT couples they can't marry is not only wrong, it goes against our fundamental values as a nation.? (The video is embedded in the right panel of this page. Visit our video library for more videos.) Villaraigosa also co-chairs the group Mayors for the Freedom to Marry along with Mayors Mike Bloomberg of New York City, Thomas M. Menino of Boston, Annise Parker of Houston and Jerry Sanders of San Diego. (Related: Antonio Villaraigosa supports adding gay marriage to platform; Obama campaign mum.) Rec

MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry has recorded a video for the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry has recorded a video for the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. ?As a child of an interracial couple, I understand the deep injustice of laws that bar a loving couple from marrying just because it threatens the status quo,? Harris-Perry says in the 60-second spot released Wednesday. ?Intentionally disenfranchising a particular group of people, like gay and lesbian couples, violates the core values of our constitution. I cannot imagine how, in 2012, our government is still denying equality to committed and loving couples, just because they are gay or lesbian. (The video is embedded in the right panel of this page. Visit our video library for more videos.) The 38-year-old Harris-Perry hosts the morning weekend show Melissa Harris-Perry. Recent contributors to Americans for Marriage Equalit

Jack Antonoff of the band Fun has recorded a video for the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. Jack Antonoff of the band Fun has recorded a video for the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. ?Touring around the country, my bandmates and I are completely blown away by the love and support we get from our fans and it's completely insane to us that some of them aren't afforded the same rights simply because they're gay or lesbian,? Antonoff says in the 30-second spot released Wednesday. (The video is embedded in the right panel of this page. Visit our video library for more videos.) Fun released their debut album Aim and Ignite in 2009 and their follow up Some Nights in February. The band is best known for the hit single We Are Young featuring Janelle Monae. Recent contributors to Americans for Marriage Equality include actors and real-life married couple Meghan Mullally and Nick Offerman, actor Stanley Tucci, actress

Actress Krysten Ritter has recorded a video for the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. ?Actress Krysten Ritter has recorded a video for the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. ?They say America is the land of freedom. Where everyone has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Gay and lesbian couples should have every opportunity to provide and care for their families. And that includes marriage,? the 30-year-old Ritter says in the spot released Wednesday. (The video is embedded in the right panel of this page. Visit our video library for more videos.) Ritter, a former model, came to prominence as an actress playing Jane Margolis on cabler AMC's Breaking Bad. She currently appears in the ABC comedy series Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23. Recent contributors to Americans for Marriage Equality include actors and real-life married couple Meghan Mullally and Nick Offerman, actor Stanley Tucci, ac

Dreama Walker is the latest celebrity to join the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. Actress Dreama Walker is the latest celebrity to join the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. ?As an American I believe in the freedom to chose who we want to love and who we want to marry. Deciding to share our life with the person we love is one of the most beautiful commitments we can make. And that's why I believe that everyone should have access to the same rights and protections of legal marriage,? the 25-year-old Walker says in a video for the campaign released Wednesday. (The video is embedded in the right panel of this page. Visit our video library for more videos.) Walker currently stars as June Colbern in the ABC comedy series Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23. ABC renewed the series for a second season earlier this month. Recent contributors to Americans for Marriage Equality include actors and real-life married co

Barack Obama's support for same-sex marriage should not cost him many votes among African Americans in this November's presidential election, political analysts said Thursday.