Did you know that Martin Luther King Jr. supported gay rights?

Question

I just read a brief bio about his wife Correta Scott King and I am ashamed of my ignorance because I never knew she was such a stanch supporter of LGBT rights and marraige equality. She states that Martin Luther King Jr. supported gay rights and the organizer of the March on Washington Bayard Rustin was gay. So the next time you hear someone say that no one should compare the civil rights movement to the LGBT rights movement...

"Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood", Correta Scott King stated. "This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimize the next minority group."

"Correta Scott King said her husband supported the quest for equality by gays and reminded her critics that the 1963 March on Washington was organized by Bayard Rustin, an openly gay civil rights activist."

Read the section LGBT equality:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coretta_Scott_King

Answer 1

In Largo Florida, the city manager is being forced from office due to initiating a sex change. Not because of incompetency or dereliction of duty but due to pressure from so called religious groups who called him/her and "abdomination of our christian principles". I find this form of bigotry inconsistent with a religion based on love of ones fellows. As a society we have far to go. Bigotry against any group is morally reprehensible and I thank you OP for bring this to our attention.

Answer 2

Yes and some want to say Lincoln was Homosexual. Where do you have any PROOF of Martin Luther King Jr(and I'm impressed that you got the WHOLE name as most drop the Jr.) said anything though when it comes to HOMOSEXUALS? He was in favor of CIVIL RIGHTS and EQUAL RIGHTS. He didn't care about color. He wanted to end hatred. He wanted EQUALITY FOR ALL. Now you are saying he supported GROUPS as opposed to everyone as a whole. See where your problem in this claim is? See why most have a hard time believing you, whether they will openly say it or not? Oh and from Wiki under Martin Luther King Jr.'s name Bayard Rustin African American civil rights activist Bayard Rustin counseled King to dedicate himself to the principles of non-violence in 1956, and had a leadership role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington. However, Rustin's open homosexuality and support of democratic socialism and ties to the Communist Party USA caused many white and African American leaders to demand that King distance himself from Rustin, which he did on several occasions, but not all — such as when he ensured Rustin's role in the March on Washington.[citation needed]

Answer 3

Of course and not surprising. Dr. King was truly a man for all people, I dare say he shares a place in history with the likes of Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, and even a man called Jesus. All these people supported the concept of love, fellowship and most of all peace and understanding, something that many who say they follow Dr. Kings words seem to forget.

Answer 4

Yes I did know that. And Coretta Scott King was an amazing woman in many ways.

Answer 5

I did not know this. But it doesn't surprise me. He always spoke for equality for all. Gay rights falls under that umbrella. It proves once again why he was a great American and to be celebrated by all races.

Answer 6

Yes I did know that alrady. But I am sure many people did not so it is good to bring up the information!

Answer 7

Of course we knew that. He was for the rights of all minority and persecuted people.

Answer 8

Good research. Have a star.
; )

Answer 9

Well good for him, he is even a better person than I thought.

Answer 10

I didn't know that, and I always wondered what he would have thought.