Press Release

Religious Right Poll Supports Gay Marriage: Humanists Critical of Failure to Act

For Immediate Release - Contact: Fred Edwords (202) 238-9088

(Washington, D.C., January 23, 2004) "The American Family Association's (AFA) decision to annul the results of a gay marriage poll brings disappointment and shows the organization's complete disregard for democratic principles," states executive director of the American Humanist Association (AHA), Tony Hileman.

The AFA, an ultra-conservative, anti-gay, traditional religious organization asked people to vote for or against legalization of homosexual marriage or civil unions. Early in the polling the AFA announced plans to present the results to Congress.

Now, however, the AFA has abandoned those plans since over two-thirds of the tallied votes are in support of gay marriage or civil unions. Over half a million votes favored "legalization of homosexual marriage"-as the AFA terms it.

"Voices of Humanists and others who support equal rights for gays and lesbians are finally being heard in conservative religious circles," continues Hileman. The AHA was one of many organizations that mobilized its members to vote in the poll in support of same-sex marriage.

An overwhelming support for gay and lesbian rights was exemplified by the AFA poll results. This coincides with other recent gains including the U.S. Supreme Court's striking down of a Texas statute outlawing consensual sex between members of the same sex, Canada legalizing gay marriage, and the Episcopal Church approving the election of an openly gay bishop. Domestic partnerships are recognized in New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, and Hawaii. In Vermont, civil unions between same-sex couples are legal.

"Religious conservatives in the AFA and in the U.S. Congress are stubbornly clinging to their timeworn prejudices, despite these recent cultural changes toward the equal recognition of gays and lesbians in society, "concludes Hileman.

The American Humanist Association is the oldest and largest Humanist organization in the nation. The AHA is dedicated to ensuring a voice for those with a positive nontheistic outlook, based on reason and experience, which embraces all of humanity .

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