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 next minority group.

in speech in november 2003 @ opening session of 13th annual creating change conference, organized national gay , lesbian task force, coretta scott king made famous appeal linking civil rights movement lgbt rights: still hear people should not talking rights of lesbian , gay people. ... hasten remind them martin luther king, jr. said, injustice anywhere threat justice everywhere. appeal believes in martin luther king, jr. s dream, make room @ table of brotherhood , sisterhood lesbian , gay people.

coretta scott king s support of lgbt rights criticized black pastors. called critics misinformed , said martin luther king s message world 1 of equality , inclusion.

in 2003, invited national gay , lesbian task force take part in observances of 40th anniversary of march on washington , martin luther king s have dream speech. first time lgbt rights group had been invited major event of african-american community.

on march 23, 2004, told audience @ richard stockton college of new jersey in pomona, new jersey, same-sex marriage civil rights issue. denounced proposed amendment advanced president george w. bush united states constitution ban equal marriage rights same-sex couples. in speech, king criticized group of black pastors in home state of georgia backing bill amend state s constitution block gay , lesbian couples marrying. scott king quoted saying gay , lesbian people have families, , families should have legal protection, whether marriage or civil union. constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages form of gay bashing , nothing @ protect traditional marriage.