Politics of Division Fails in Senate; Federal Marriage Amendment Defeated by a Vote of 48-50
'This Was an Attempt to Divide Americans That Backfired and
Divided Republicans,' Said HRC President Cheryl Jacques


WASHINGTON, July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- By a stunning bipartisan vote of 48 to 50, the Senate today rejected the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA). This was a crucial victory sending a strong message in Washington and throughout America that politics of distraction will fail. The 48 senators who backed this divisive amendment couldn't even muster a simple majority.

"This was an attempt to divide Americans that backfired and divided Republicans," said Cheryl Jacques, President of the Human Rights Campaign.

The defeat of the FMA occurred following a stunning week on Capitol Hill. After a year of monopolizing precious Senate time on Senator Allard's Federal Marriage Amendment, the Republican leadership retreated.

"Faced with an embarrassing defeat, the Senate leadership rejected an up or down vote on the Federal Marriage Amendment," added Jacques. "This debate has always been about politics and undermining the Constitution is their tool."

Every poll shows the American people want Congress focused on issues like rising health care costs, the hemorrhaging of jobs and the War in Iraq. Gay marriage and the Federal Marriage Amendment rank last on the list.

"The optimism and fairness of the American people will prevail," added Jacques.


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Asian Pacific American Leaders Condemn Federal Marriage Amendment

 
WASHINGTON - July 13 - The Asian Pacific American Coalition for Equality (APACE) today announced its launch as a national ad hoc coalition of Asian Pacific American (APA) leaders and organizations determined to fight marriage discrimination against their communities. It represents a broad alliance of APA lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) affinity groups, as well as major APA and LGBT civil rights organizations across the country.

"Through anti-miscegenation laws, exclusion acts, and immigration restrictions, APA families have faced a long, heartbreaking legacy of marriage discrimination in the United States," said Clay Kwong for the People of Color Media Program of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). "That shameful legacy continues to impact thousands of APA same-sex couples who are currently denied access to protections that marriage would afford them and their children."


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Los Angeles Latin Pride Festival in Echo Park on August 7

The Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Association announced it will hold the sixth annual Latin Pride Festival in Los Angeles on Saturday, August 7. The parade and festival will be held in Echo Park, a neighborhood just northwest of downtown Los Angeles. John Duran, the first out Latino mayor of West Hollywood, will be the grand marshal.

Festival organizers expect more than 10,000 festival attendees from Southern California and surrounding areas. The parade will proceed along Sunset Boulevard, and the festival will take place at the north side of Echo Park Lake. Entertainment and political personalities will present a day-long venue of entertainment, along with community organizations, food and craft vendors, health providers, and entertainers. A live performance stage and dance tent will highlight the diversity of the Latino community in Los Angeles. Community sponsors include AltaMed and Bienestar Human Services. Community organizations that wish to participate in the festival should call the Pride Association at (800) 908-LGBT. For event updates, visit the festival's Web site: www.LatinLGBTPride.org.