by HRC Staff •
'Disguising prejudice as justice is un-American,' said HRC President Joe Solmonese.
WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign emphasized the independent role of the judiciary following yesterday's "Justice Sunday" event that featured speeches attacking fair-minded judges. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people were at the center of these extremist attacks on the courts, said HRC.
"Disguising prejudice as justice is un-American," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "The extremism on display last night dangerously ignored the court's more than 200-year-old responsibility of independence. In rallying against this liberty, the speakers last night rallied against one of our democracy's greatest qualities."
Solmonese continued, "All fair-minded Americans should take note that those who want to use the Supreme Court to silence fairness seem to also be supporting the nomination of Judge John Roberts. The Senate must use the upcoming hearings to ask Judge Roberts the questions that need to be answered. We must ensure that our Supreme Court justices understand the role of the court in ensuring equal protection for all in the face of loud political uproar."
Held Sunday, Aug. 14, in Nashville, Tenn., the event featured a dozen speakers from the far right, all but two of whom spoke out against equal rights for GLBT Americans. The following quotes highlight the event's anti-gay rhetoric:
ᄡFormer Sen. Zell Miller said that the court was "ready to discard like an outdated hula hoop the sacred institution of marriage."
ᄡJames Dobson, president of Focus on the Family, said that Roberts "looks good" but needs to be protected from fair-minded senators including Sens. Kennedy, Biden and Durbin. Dobson also said the "very definition of marriage itself, the family itself, is at stake."
ᄡCathy Cleaver Ruse, senior fellow for the Family Research Council, claimed the courts invented the right of homosexuality.
ᄡWilliam Donohue, president of the Catholic League, also claimed that the courts are making up rights, including the right to privacy and "the idea that two guys can get married."
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
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