LGBT equality Coretta Scott King
corretta scott king supporter in struggle gay , lesbian civil rights. in august, 1983 in washington, d.c., urged amendment of civil rights act include gays , lesbians protected class. in response supreme court s 1986 decision in bowers v. hardwick there no constitutional right engage in consensual sodomy, king s longtime friend, winston johnson of atlanta, came out , instrumental in arranging king featured speaker @ september 27, 1986 new york gala of human rights campaign fund. reported in new york native, king stated there express solidarity gay , lesbian movement. applauded gays , lesbians having been part of civil rights movement. on april 1, 1998 @ palmer house hilton in chicago, mrs. king called on civil rights community join in struggle against homophobia , anti-gay bias. homophobia racism , anti-semitism , other forms of bigotry in seeks dehumanize large group of people, deny humanity, dignity , personhood , stated. sets stage further repression , violence spread victimize n...