At last night’s L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s “An Evening with Women,” comedian/actress/married lesbian with kids Wanda Sykes spoke thoughtfully about Obama and the NAACP’s stance on marriage equality. And had some very wise words about marriage, and why atheists get married.

I’m so proud of him [Obama]. I knew he would get there. But I believe it’s earnest and I’m just so proud because I flash back to this time four years ago and watching the vice presidential and presidential debates and when the topic of same sex marriage comes up, it was almost like they laughed…I still voted for him because it was what I thought was best for the country and I just hope people who are – have a problem with him coming out for same sex marriage that they will still go with their instinct of what’s good for the country.

Sykes was super enthusiastic regarding the NAACP’s support of marriage equality:

I’m so proud of the NAACP! I mean – this is huge! Really is huge because the NAACP, their roots are so instilled in the church. That’s where their meetings and all of that are held, in churches. So to come out and support same sex marriage – I’m so  thrilled that they have gotten past the point that it’s not about religion, it’s about rights.

And the she pointed out a very important fact:

Marriage really doesn’t have anything to do with religion. That’s why atheists get married. It’s about all the rights that comes along with it. So I’m very proud of the NAACP right now and I think I’m going to join! Maybe I’ll up my membership now.

Karen Ocamb’s column LGBTPOV has the full interview on video from Renee Sotile & Mary Jo Godges of Traipsing Thru Films.

Comedian Wanda Sykes and CNN anchor Don Lemon spoke when the NAACP held their first ever LGBT panel and townhouse meeting during their 102d National Convention. Both stressed the importance of the church in the black community–and how praying away the gay just didn’t work.

This video was shot and edited by Renee Sotile and Mary Jo Godges from Traipsing Thru Films for LGBT POV and Frontiers In LA. LGBT POV will have more coverage of the convention in the coming days.

[HT: LGBT POV]

While one Colorado clergyman is fighting his arrest for possession of pot (claiming his status as clergy in the Ministry of THC allows for sacramental reefer use), a pastor in California is up in arms over the NAACP’s support of the November ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana use.

Rev. Jason Wimler is claiming the cannabis found in his car by Colorado State Troopers late last year was for sacramental use for a ceremony he hoped to perform during the Christmas holiday. His attorney Daneyl Joffe was granted the right to file a brief on jury instructions specific to religious use of cannabis. Joffe’s point is that the Colorado Constitution allows for

the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination

though some might argue that Wimler’s pot possession fall under this part of the law:

but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be construed to dispense with oaths or affirmations, excuse acts of licentiousness or justify practices inconsistent with the good order, peace or safety of the state. (emphasis mine)

Meanwhile the NAACP in California has come out in support of the legalization of marijuana because as  Alice Huffman, the state NAACP president, says:

There is a strong racial component that must be considered when we investigate how marijuana laws are applied to people of color. The burden has fallen disproportionately on people of color and young black men in particular.

Sacramento minister Ron Allen–bishop of the Greater Solomon Temple Community Church in Oak Park and  president of the International Faith-Based Coalition, a Sacramento group representing 3,600 congregations–is not too happy about this:

Most African American pastors are disappointed, absolutely disappointed with the decision. If anyone should know the effects of illicit drugs in the black community, it should be one of our most respected civil rights organizations.

Yes, Bishop Allen, but if pot were legal, then it wouldn’t be illicit, no would it? Maybe Bishop Allen should check out the ministry of THC, which claims both Jesus and Moses used cannabis oil as for holy anointing. Hallelujah!