The Next Time Someone Tries to Tell You...

[Jamie McDaniel]

We've put together a list of quotes from leaders of the civil rights movement of the 50's and 60's. So the next time someone tries to tell you that the struggle for GLBT equality has no connection to the Civil Rights Movement, refer them to this page. :)

www.soulforce.org/article/766 (http://www.soulforce.org/article/766)

[Joe Brummer]

Great Stuff!

What about Julian Bond? What about Bruce Lowe?

There are so many quotes from Civil Rights leaders who stood with Dr. King that pertain the gay rights. If you want I could dig a whole bunch up. Of course I say this after I have already voluteered myself for so many other things, but I can do it if you'd like.....

[schoolboi]

Jamie, This is a great witness!

Thanks

[keltic63]

It certainly seems to disprove the critics who say our movement doesn't compare to the earlier civil rights movement. I'm thinking of another thread where we could use this....

[SolInvictus]

Thank you Jamie & thats awesome.

[Jamie McDaniel]

There are so many quotes from Civil Rights leaders who stood with Dr. King that pertain the gay rights. If you want I could dig a whole bunch up. Of course I say this after I have already voluteered myself for so many other things, but I can do it if you'd like.....
If you do come across any, Joe, yes, please forward them! I know Julian Bond spoke at an HRC event recently.

[Vanessa White]

Thanks, Jamie. THese are great quotes that I would like to refer to when I do some of my trainings. I have heard on more than one occasion that much of the African AMerican community does not like to emphasize any similarity between the two movements, and it is refreshing to know that some reknowned persons of color are not afraid to be heard.

[Jamie McDaniel]

I think the real power of this list of quotes lies with its ability to reach the "moveable middle." Reasonable people, people of good-will, thinking Americans, these are the people that, when given the information, will come to understand our demand for equality.

Unfortunately, this list seems to have little effect on those whose hearts are hardened and whose sight is blinded by bad religion. They dismiss these folks just like they did fifty years ago. I think such people will always be with us and they will always fight against justice movements and the work of the inclusive Spirit.

[ochast]

I have heard on more than one occasion that much of the African AMerican community does not like to emphasize any similarity between the two movements, and it is refreshing to know that some reknowned persons of color are not afraid to be heard.

Vanessa,
My experience has actually been that the LGBT movement has great allies in the current black activists. The NAACP in particular is proudly committed to our cause, and I love that Coretta Scott King would always bring up MLK's "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" when she spoke or wrote about LGBT rights, as she so often did. [it made me so, so sad to change that last sentence to the past tense....Mrs. King, I miss you]

Last year I was living in Maine when the legislature added sexual orientation and gender identity to the state's non-discrimination laws. I went to Augusta for the public hearings on LD1196, and one of the most powerful and eloquent speakers was a representative from the NAACP. Yes, she was *officially* representing the local NAACP chapter, and she made quite clear the connections between the current legislation and past race struggles.

It's not just a few isolated folks speaking for us...we've got a lot of allies in the black community, especially among the activists.
-Michael

[Vanessa White]

Thanks Michael. I am so glad to hear that. Peace, Vanessa

[Jamie McDaniel]

What about Julian Bond?

I've added Julian Bond's recent statements from the 2008 Creating Change conference to the list.

Those Who Lived the Struggle to End Segregation Now Speak Out for Same-Gender Marriage Equality (http://www.soulforce.org/article/766)