Coretta Scott King: Gay Rights Activist

There has been much debate about the parallels (or lack thereof) between the black civil rights struggle and the LGBT civil rights struggle. There are some that claim the gay community is a priviledged community that has suffered nothing. There are some that claim the the LGBT community is one entered by choice and therefore members are subject to all of the consequences.

But on this day of celebration of the life of Martin Luther King, I would like to comment on his widow, the remarkable Coretta Scott King. Coretta continued the fight for equality long after the assassination of her husband. But Coretta recognized the need for equality for all.

Some of her quotes are listed below.
"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice," she said. "But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'" "I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother- and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people,"


"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. This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimize the next minority group."

"Freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation is surely a fundamental human right in any great democracy, as much as freedom from racial, religious, gender, or ethnic discrimination."