The board of directors of the National
Association for the Deaf (NAD) late last month followed in the
footsteps of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People (NAACP) to endorse equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian
couples.
In a statement released on May 25th,
NAD said it supported gay nuptials because it was “consistent with
the NAD mission to safeguard the civil, human and linguistic rights
of deaf and hard of hearing individuals – whose marriage rights
have been suppressed throughout history.”
“Our stance on marriage equality
reflects the historic commitment of the NAD to protection of the
rights of all deaf and hard of hearing individuals,” NAD President
Bobbie Beth Scoggins said. “Marriage equality, and the benefits
that go with marriage, are a fundamental civil right that must be
accorded to everyone, including GLBT members of our community who
deserve no less.”
The group added that it would highlight
its stance during its upcoming 51st biennial conference to
be held next month in Louisville, Kentucky.
The NAACP last month endorsed
marriage equality, saying it is a “civil right and a matter of
civil law.”