Elbridge James wasn't surprised when many of his fraternity brothers ridiculed him for supporting same-sex marriage.
But what James didn't expect was for a handful of his old college buddies to rise to his defense. They, too, believed that gays' and lesbians' battle for marriage is a matter of civil rights.
"We're talking about a black fraternity that has had issues with homophobia," he said. "But I think when you get the message out, and people start to listen, they realize the question is about respecting others' rights."
The experience gave James, former political action chairman for the Maryland National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, hope that more blacks are willing to support gay rights than conventional wisdom might indicate.
In an effort to raise the issue of gay unions within black communities around the state, James and other activists have formed the Maryland Black Family Alliance, a group of predominantly heterosexual African-American leaders pledging their support for same-sex marriage.
"There's a scarcity of information on this issue in the black community," said James, the group's director. "The black press doesn't cover it; talk radio doesn't cover it. ... We have this sort of `don't ask, don't tell policy' in our community."
Organizers ultimately hope to change the minds of blacks - particularly elected officials - who reject any parallel between gay unions and civil rights. They point to the outspoken support of civil rights leaders such as Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat, who will give the keynote speech at the annual fundraiser this weekend for Equality Maryland, the state's largest gay advocacy group.
"Our voice is very important to this movement," said Lea Gilmore, a founding member. "African-Americans, perhaps more than another other group in the U.S., understand discrimination. So we are natural allies in this movement."
The organization, which will be announced today at Morgan State University in Baltimore, is a crucial element in gay activists' strategy to fight for marriage rights for same-sex couples in the Maryland legislature this winter.
Gay advocates - still reeling from last month's ruling by Maryland's highest court upholding the state's ban of same-sex marriage - know they face an uphill climb in the General Assembly. The Legislative Black Caucus is split on the issue, with many members weighing their religious beliefs against their support for traditional civil rights.
