FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Darryl Wilson, Jr. Executive Director Cell: 832-654-3605 Email: execdir@dphiu.org DELTA PHI UPSILON CELEBRATES HISTORIC MARRIAGE EQUALITY RULINGS BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT Houston, TX – June 26, 2013 – The U.S. Supreme Court today issued historic and far-reaching decisions in favor of same-sex couples, in two ground-breaking marriage equality cases. In the first landmark ruling, the Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), ensuring that same-sex couples who are married or living in one of the 12 states and the District of Columbia, which offer the guarantee of marriage equality, are now eligible to benefit from all the federal protections afforded to heterosexual couples. The Supreme Court also heard arguments in Hollingsworth v. Perry, the challenge to California’s Proposition 8 and rendered a decision which will finally allow the state of California to recognize same-sex unions. In recognizing the impact of these decisions, Delta Ph Upsilon’s National President, Kendrick T. Clack applauded the Supreme Court, commenting that, “They reaffirmed that every citizen is entitled to the “unalienable rights” guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence, ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,’ but on the same token reminded us that states still have a say as to the extent of their involvement in granting these rights.” President Clack went on to stress that, “We may have won the federal battle, but the war for civil equality is still in progress. There are many battles to be fought on the state level and our success weighs heavily in the vote, which has also been threatened this week in the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Voting Rights Act. Therefore, we must gather our friends, families, and allies to continue strategizing on how to capitalize upon this gain and create universal civil equality throughout the union. We must not accept that homosexual marriage in one state is not recognized the same as heterosexual marriage in another state.” While this is groundbreaking progress, we can be assured that those who oppose marriage equality will continue to find new and inventive methods, both socially and legislatively, to prevent the inevitable progression into a more tolerant society. In accordance with its founding purpose, Delta Phi Upsilon and its members remain poised and dedicated to improving the public stature of gay people, through its programs of service, which include taking the fight for marriage equality to each and every state of the union.
Delta Phi Upsilon Fraternity, Incorporated (DPhiU) is a national service organization that was founded on the campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL in 1985. It is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by gay men of color. It is comprised of members in city chapters in five regions across the United States. Its membership includes gay men who exemplify its motto of “Service to our Kind,” through academic excellence, certified leadership skills, and who are consistently involved in creating change in the global community through the programs of service embodied in the fraternity’s national program goals. Through its core mission, Delta Phi Upsilon has dedicated itself to improving the quality of life for its members and those it serves. The organization is led by its 6th National President Kendrick T. Clack, BS RN, of Houston, TX, whose administration's programmatic theme is “The H.E.A.R.T. of Delta Phi Upsilon.” For more information about Delta Phi Upsilon Fraternity, Inc., log on to www.dphiu.org.
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