State of Alabama Archives: on Civil Rights

Arnold Mooney: Don't replace marriage licenses with affidavits

Legislative Summary: The Alabama House of Representatives gave final legislative approval to a bill that would end marriage licenses in Alabama, replacing them with signed affidavits. The measure aims to appease a handful of probate judges who stopped issuing marriage licenses after rulings by federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015 that struck down Alabama's ban on same-sex marriage. The law would change the role of the probate judge from issuing marriage licenses to recording affidavits filed in his or her office.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 26-0-9 on Mar/21/19; Passed House 67-26-6 on May/23/19; State Rep. Arnold Mooney voted NO; Signed by Governor Kay Ivey on May/28/20.

Bradley Byrne: States should be free to decide on gay marriage

Bradley Byrne: Marriage is defined as one man and one woman

Bradley Byrne: Supreme Court should not define marriage for states

Brandaun Dean: Has been a champion for LGBTQ equality

Chris Countryman: No discrimination based on orientation or gender identity

• In favor of expanded hate crime laws protecting individuals based on their actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
• In favor of laws that prohibit students in public schools from participating in any form of discrimination or harassment against fellow students on the basis of their sexual orientation. This also includes harassment and discrimination based on a fellow student's gender or gender identity.
• In favor of laws that prohibit discrimination or harassment in the workplace against workers on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. This includes laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment towards individuals on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity during the application and hiring process.
• In favor of laws that prohibit adoption discrimination against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

Chris Countryman: Ok to refuse church services to gay couples

• In favor of laws that allow clergy and churches the right to refuse services to those who do not adhere to their religious beliefs or who are not members of their church or religious group. This only applies within their churches and places of worship.
• In favor of laws ensuring that churches, religious institutions, or other places of worship remain protected under the first amendment. This protection would extend to all religious institutions as long as they refrain from any and all threats or acts of violence against those who they might oppose based on their religious beliefs.
• In favor of laws that prohibit discrimination and harassment against any other federally recognized group or individual.
• In favor of laws that prohibit retaliation against anyone who opposes conduct that is considered unlawful under expanded discrimination and harassment laws.

Chris Countryman: Repeatedly sought same-sex marriage license

Doug Jones: Full equality for women in the workplace

Doug Jones: Gay son celebrates Jones' swearing in as senator

Carson was "thrilled" with his dad's victory. "We have been overwhelmed by the support of so many people that made this happen. Alabama made a really big statement that unity wins out. I couldn't be prouder of him or my home state," he said.

Doug Jones: Endorsed of Human Rights Campaign

Doug Jones: Co-sponsored civil rights protections for LGBTQ people

Doug Jones: Protecting voting rights shouldn't be partisan issue

Doug Jones: 2000: Got convictions of two involved in 1963 church bombing

John Merrill: We're too interested in homosexual activities in pop culture

John Merrill: Implemented America's toughest voter ID law

Made it easier to vote and harder to cheat by implementing America's toughest voter ID law, all while cleaning the state's voter rolls and registering record numbers of citizens.

Slashed his office budget and saved Alabama taxpayers millions by reducing overhead, ending duplication of services, and making government operate at the speed of business.

John Merrill: America too interested in homosexual activities on TV

John Merrill: Being gay is a "decision," but would not take away rights

John Merrill: Just because you're 18 doesn't give you the right to vote

John Merrill: 2016: Recognized by the ACLU as the Champion for Democracy

• In 2012, John Merrill was named the Alabama House Legislator of the Year by the Children's Trust Fund.
• In 2013, he was named as the Child Advocate of the Year at the Early Intervention and Preschool Conference.
• John was identified by the Sunlight Foundation as the Most Effective Republican Member of the Alabama House of Representatives from 2011-14.
• In 2015, he was selected as one of 48 leaders from around the nation to attend and graduate from the Council of State Government's prestigious Henry Toll Fellowship Leadership Program.
• In 2016, he was recognized by the American Civil Liberties Union as the Champion for Democracy.
• In 2017, 2018, and 2019, he was recognized by the Aga Khan Foundation with the Community Support Award.
• In 2019, he received the Leading Globally Matters Locally Award from the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition for his work domestically and internationally.

John Rogers: Don't replace marriage licenses with affidavits

Legislative Summary: The Alabama House of Representatives gave final legislative approval to a bill that would end marriage licenses in Alabama, replacing them with signed affidavits. The measure aims to appease a handful of probate judges who stopped issuing marriage licenses after rulings by federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015 that struck down Alabama's ban on same-sex marriage. The law would change the role of the probate judge from issuing marriage licenses to recording affidavits filed in his or her office.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 26-0-9 on Mar/21/19; Passed House 67-26-6 on May/23/19; State Rep. John Rogers voted NO; Signed by Governor Kay Ivey on May/28/20.

Katie Britt: Supports equality of opportunity, not equality of outcome

Kay Ivey: One-man-one-woman marriage is cornerstone of civilization

My opposition to same-sex marriage is based on more than my personal Christian beliefs. Incidentally, none of the world's other four largest religions--Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, or Islam--recognizes same-sex marriage as legitimate either.

There is no advantage to bringing up children in homes where parents are both of the same gender. Years of research show children need both a mom and a dad to reach their maximum potential. And other studies show children brought up in same-sex households have lower self-esteem.

I will always oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage in Alabama and elsewhere in the nation, and I support legislation that defines marriage as being between one man and one woman.

Kay Ivey: Held first ever Governor's Disability Job Fair

One of those job-seekers is with us tonight--Caryn McDade. Caryn walked into the Governor's Disability Job Fair looking for an opportunity. As a teenager, Caryn's learning disabilities plagued her until she saw no alternative other than dropping out of school. [Caryn has been working with several agencies to get her GED and develop other job skills.] By the end of the week after the fair, Caryn was employed full-time as a home health care aide.

Kay Ivey: Replace marriage licenses with affidavits

Legislative Summary: The Alabama House of Representatives gave final legislative approval to a bill that would end marriage licenses in Alabama, replacing them with signed affidavits. The measure aims to appease a handful of probate judges who stopped issuing marriage licenses after rulings by federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015 that struck down Alabama's ban on same-sex marriage. The law would change the role of the probate judge from issuing marriage licenses to recording affidavits filed in his or her office.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 26-0-9 on Mar/21/19; Passed House 67-26-6 on May/23/19; Signed by Governor Kay Ivey on May/28/20.

Lynda Blanchard: Radical attempts to force transgender agenda an abomination

Lynda Blanchard: No one can choose gender because God made that choice

Lynda Blanchard: Don't pit color against color; we are all the same

Malika Sanders-Fortier: There's unfinished business of the Civil Rights Movement

Malika Sanders-Fortier: Replace marriage licenses with affidavits

Legislative Summary: The Alabama House of Representatives gave final legislative approval to a bill that would end marriage licenses in Alabama, replacing them with signed affidavits. The measure aims to appease a handful of probate judges who stopped issuing marriage licenses after rulings by federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015 that struck down Alabama's ban on same-sex marriage. The law would change the role of the probate judge from issuing marriage licenses to recording affidavits filed in his or her office.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 26-0-9 on Mar/21/19; State Sen. Malika Sanders-Fortier voted YES; Passed House 67-26-6 on May/23/19; Signed by Governor Kay Ivey on May/28/20.

Marcus Bowman: Marriage defined as one man and one woman

A: Strongly oppose. Marriage should be defined as between one man and one woman. Following the 10th Amendment can be a way that states can have their own approach on this issue.

Mike Durant: Radicals redefine American values with Critical Race Theory

Mo Brooks: Defend blaming "many sides" for white supremacist violence

But all three main candidates for the Alabama Senate seat, like Trump, issued lukewarm condemnations of the white supremacist violence in Charlottesville; and all have pledged to shepherd the president's agenda virtually unequivocally.

While others were urging the president to take a more definitive stand against hate groups [after Trump said "many sides" were to blame], Moore, Brooks, and Strange echoed the president's broad condemnation of "violence," "hatred," and "bigotry." Both Brooks and Strange said explicitly that they stood behind Trump's comments--which is more than Trump himself did. By Monday [after the weekend comments], the president had offered updated remarks that explicitly mentioned white supremacist hate groups.

Mo Brooks: 2014: Democrats wage war on whites

Robert Bentley: End affirmative action for colleges & state contracts

Bentley indicates he supports the following principles concerning affirmative action:
• Q: College and university admissions ?
  A: No.
• Q: Public employment ?
  A: No.
• Q: State contracting ?
  A: No.

Robert Bentley: Ever mindful of our turbulent past 50 years ago

By year's end, Alabama would see many peaceful protestors jailed for daring to advocate equal treatment for all people. The University of Alabama would enroll its first African-American students. Four little girls killed inside their place of worship during Sunday School. The rising up of thousands who marched to this building knowing they were endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights. That was 50 years ago.

Today, we are ever-mindful of our turbulent past while we eagerly look forward to a new chapter in our state's history. Alabama IS our Sweet Home. And we want it to be a place where economic opportunity abounds and there are good-paying jobs, where children can get a good education, where counties and cities can build roads to compete for businesses and industries.

Robert Bentley: Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to hate crime criteria

• : Under existing law, additional penalties are imposed against a person if the offense committed is motivated by the victim's race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or physical or mental disability.
• This bill would provide for those additional penalties for a crime motivated by the victim's sexual orientation.Status: Passed House, 46-44. Source: Alabama state legislature voting records: Bill HB829 May 6, 2008

  Ron Crumpton: Women make $0.78 vs. men; minorities make $0.75 vs. whites

  One of the cornerstones of the American experiment is that all men are created equal, subsequent amendments and court rulings clarifies that all men and women are equal in the eyes of the law regardless of race, creed, or color, but reality does not always resemble the law.

  The 14th Amendment guarantees the equal protection for all American citizens, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 specifically forbids discrimination based on sex or race in the work place, yet women only make 78 cents on the dollar compared to men and minorities only make 75 cents on the dollar as compared to white males.

  This discrimination comes at a cost of $550 billion a year in lost wages for women, and when you factor in minorities, you are looking at a loss of $1 trillion. I believe that a realistic goal would be to get the pay of women and minorities up to 90 cents on the dollar. This would mean an injection of over $600 billion in new wages each year, and more than $150 billion in new tax revenues.

  Source: 2016 Senate campaign website CrumptonForAlabama.com Jul 23, 2015

  Ron Crumpton: Apply 1960s civil rights laws to LGBT community

  The simple fact is if you are a black, Hispanic, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Mormon atheist, gay, female, have one of the aforementioned groups in your family then you have been affected by discrimination. The current 'fad' in discrimination is state laws that would allow businesses to legally discriminate against members of the LGBT community. The problem with that is that we already have case law that should be applied to this issue.

  From the reconstruction era until the 1960's, the States passed many laws aimed at denying access to goods and services to members of the black community, but in 1964 Congress and the US Supreme Court put an end to those laws. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. I would offer an amendment to the Civil Rights Act that would simply add sexual orientation & gender identity to the list of protected classes.

  Source: 2016 Alabama Senate campaign website, CrumptonForAlabama.com Aug 7, 2015

  Ron Crumpton: Legally require hiring more women & minorities

  Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Legally require hiring more women/minorities"?

  A: Strongly agree. Women make $0.78 vs. men; minorities make $0.75 vs. whites

  Source: Email interview on 2016 Alabama Senate race with OnTheIssues Nov 26, 2015

  Ron Crumpton: Add gender identity to Civil Rights Act

  Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Comfortable with same-sex marriage"?

  A: Strongly agree. I would offer an amendment to the Civil Rights Act that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes.

  Source: Email interview on 2016 Alabama Senate race with OnTheIssues Nov 26, 2015

  Ron Crumpton: Give the disabled the ability to obtain service dogs

  The Daily endorses Ron Crumpton, of Pelham in Tuesday's Democratic primary. While he has never held an elected office, he has at least dabbled in state legislative issues. He has proposed bills that would increase access to medical marijuana, and that would give the disabled the ability to obtain service dogs. He has seven years' experience lobbying the state Legislature on behalf of various nonprofits. Source: Decatur Daily on 2016 Alabama Senate race Feb 26, 2016

  Roy Moore: Our sacred institution of marriage is one man and one woman

  The state Court of the Judiciary suspended Moore from his judicial position for the remainder of his term, after finding that Moore violated judicial ethics by telling probate judges in a January 2016 administrative order that they still had a duty to uphold Alabama's laws against gay marriage. Moore said then, "I have done my duty under the laws of this state to stand for the undeniable truth that God ordained marriage as the union of one man and one woman."

  Moore revisited the gay marriage issue during his remarks today. He said judges and justices are ignoring the Constitution. "The foundations of the fabric of our country are being shaken tremendously," Moore said. "Our sacred institution of marriage has been destroyed by the Supreme Court. Our rights and liberties are in jeopardy."

  Moore defended the actions that led to his suspension. "What I did, I did for the people of Alabama," Moore said. "I stood up for the Constitution. I stood up for God."

  Source: Birmingham News on 2017 Alabama Senate special election Apr 26, 2017

  Roy Moore: OpEd: Lukewarm condemnation of white supremacist violence

  President Donald Trump's initial reluctance to denounce the white supremacist groups responsible for the deadly hate-fueled violence in Charlottesville over the weekend prompted swift backlash from Republicans in Congress.

  But all three main candidates for the Alabama Senate seat, like Trump, issued lukewarm condemnations of the white supremacist violence in Charlottesville; and all have pledged to shepherd the president's agenda virtually unequivocally.

  While others were urging the president to take a more definitive stand against hate groups [after Trump said "many sides" were to blame], Moore, Brooks, and Strange echoed the president's broad condemnation of "violence," "hatred," and "bigotry." Both Brooks and Strange said explicitly that they stood behind Trump's comments--which is more than Trump himself did. By Monday [after the weekend comments], the president had offered updated remarks that explicitly mentioned white supremacist hate groups.

  Source: TheDailyBeast.com coverage of 2017 Alabama Senate race Aug 15, 2017

  Roy Moore: Defend blaming "many sides" for white supremacist violence

  President Donald Trump's initial reluctance to denounce the white supremacist groups responsible for the deadly hate-fueled violence in Charlottesville over the weekend prompted swift backlash from Republicans in Congress.

  But all three main candidates for the Alabama Senate seat, like Trump, issued lukewarm condemnations of the white supremacist violence in Charlottesville; and all have pledged to shepherd the president's agenda virtually unequivocally.

  While others were urging the president to take a more definitive stand against hate groups [after Trump said "many sides" were to blame], Moore, Brooks, and Strange echoed the president's broad condemnation of "violence," "hatred," and "bigotry." Both Brooks and Strange said explicitly that they stood behind Trump's comments--which is more than Trump himself did. By Monday [after the weekend comments], the president had offered updated remarks that explicitly mentioned white supremacist hate groups.

  Source: TheDailyBeast.com coverage of 2017 Alabama Senate race Aug 15, 2017

  Roy Moore: 14th Amendment restricts states & causes many problems

  In Moore's June appearance, one of the hosts says he would like to see an amendment that would void all the amendments after the Tenth. "That would eliminate many problems," Moore replied.

  The host agreed with Moore, before turning his attention specifically to the 14th Amendment, which was passed during the Reconstruction period following the Civil War and guaranteed citizenship to former slaves.

  Moore replied, "the 14th Amendment has been a restriction on the states using the first Ten Amendments by and through the 14th Amendment. To restrict the states from doing something that the federal government was restricted from doing and allowing the federal government to do something which the first Ten Amendments prevented them from doing. If you understand the incorporation doctrine used by the courts and what it meant. You'd understand what I'm talking about."

  Source: CNN on 2017 Alabama Senate race Dec 11, 2017

  Terri Sewell: Backed Congressional Medal for 1963 church bombing victims

  The murder of Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley, shook the nation. But it wasn't until 2013--50 years after the Ku Klux Klan bombing--that the victims were officially acknowledged for their sacrifice with what Sewell described as, "the highest civilian honor that Congress can bestow upon anyone." Sewell was the sponsor of a bill that posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal to the girls, an action that came as the result of a sense of personal duty. Source: NBC Boston on 2022 Alabama Senate race Feb 24, 2021

  Tommy Tuberville: Don't use race to divide us

  Q: Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

  A: I think the Democratic Party openly encourages hostility between races in this country by using inflammatory language to divide us. Racism is inexcusable and I never have or will condone it. I have always taught it isn't your race that makes you who you are, but who you are on the inside. Good and evil come in all shapes and colors, and when there is discrimination by any race against another, it must be called out.

  Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Alabama Senate race Nov 3, 2020

  Tommy Tuberville: Opposes laws against discrimination over sexual orientation

  Q: Should LGBTQ people be protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation?

  Tommy Tuberville: No. Opposes laws protecting people against discrimination because of sexual orientation.

  Doug Jones: Yes. Credits his gay son with helping him to change his views. Co-sponsored anti-discrimination Equality Act.

  Source: CampusElect on 2020 Alabama Senate race Oct 10, 2020

  Vivian Davis Figures: Voted YES on apology for wrongs of Alabama slavery

  Figures voted Yes on SJR 54 (Resolution Passed Senate, 22-7): Expressing profound regret for Alabama's role in slavery and apology for wrongs of slavery; and expressing intent that this resolution shall not be used in, or be basis of, any type of litigation. Source: Alabama state voting records from vote-smart.org Apr 24, 2007

  Walt Maddox: Honors Civil Rights History Task Force

  Mayor Maddox and the Tuscaloosa City Council formally recognized the efforts of the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Task Force. "The Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Task Force seeks to bring about positive change and reconciliation through collecting, preserving and telling the stories of the important struggle for civil rights in Tuscaloosa," Maddox said in reading the proclamation. "Its vision for Tuscaloosa is for it to become an important tourist destination for civil rights history. Source: Tuscaloosa News on 2018 Alabama Gubernatorial race Oct 19, 2016

  Will Boyd: Close the gender wage gap & champion race relations

  • Close the gender wage gap for women
  • Work to ensure that politics don't interfere with efforts to promote equal rights for all
  • Unify the State of Alabama, championing discussions on "race relations," diversity, and equality
  • Combat income inequality, working to ensure that women are truly paid the same wages for the same work.
  Source: 2022 Alabama Senate campaign website DrWillBoyd.com May 25, 2022

  Will Boyd: Add LGBTQIA to the Civil Rights Act of 1965

  • Support the Equality Act, which would add LGBTQIA to the Civil Rights Act of 1965 as a protected class
  • Unify the State of Alabama, championing discussions on "race relations," diversity, and equality
  Source: 2022 Alabama Senate campaign website DrWillBoyd.com May 25, 2022

  The above quotations are from State of Alabama Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  2016 Presidential contenders on Civil Rights:
  	Republicans: Gov.Jeb Bush(FL) Dr.Ben Carson(MD) Gov.Chris Christie(NJ) Sen.Ted Cruz(TX) Carly Fiorina(CA) Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA) Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC) Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR) Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA) Gov.John Kasich(OH) Gov.Sarah Palin(AK) Gov.George Pataki(NY) Sen.Rand Paul(KY) Gov.Rick Perry(TX) Sen.Rob Portman(OH) Sen.Marco Rubio(FL) Sen.Rick Santorum(PA) Donald Trump(NY) Gov.Scott Walker(WI)	Democrats: Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI) Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY) V.P.Joe Biden(DE) Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD) Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT) Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA) Sen.Jim Webb(VA) 2016 Third Party Candidates: Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM) Roseanne Barr(PF-HI) Robert Steele(L-NY) Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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  Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023