Coretta Scott King: "Together we shall overcome."

[racaulk]

For 23 years, I had the great privilege of serving as special assistant to Coretta Scott King. As we traveled the world, I watched Mrs. King as she made history combating racism, sexism, homophobia, poverty, war, AIDS and so many other issues.

As a gay man, I was always proudest when she spoke for the dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, as she did many times through the years. For me, though, one of the greatest moments was 10 years ago this weekend, when Mrs. King spoke at the annual Pride Celebration in Atlanta.

Several months prior to the event, we received the invitation for her to speak. I had mixed feelings, because I was on Pride’s board of directors and was past chair of the Pride Committee. Mrs. King was very familiar with my involvement in the organization, and I did not want her to feel the need to participate out of obligation to me.

I had often heard Mrs. King talk about how gay people had joined in the struggle for black civil rights “at a time when they could find few voices for their own,” so I knew she would have no objection to speaking at Pride.

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Link: http://www.sovo.com/2006/6-23/view/columns/cothren.cfm

[Rowdyboy]

1. My admiration for Coretta knows no bounds....That said, some of the rest

of the family are repellent.

King's daughter Berenice is a major homophobe http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/12/14/EDGEBAB7KB1.DTL

Most of the family are one the right side, but their are some serious disappointments. A few prefer to cater to prejudices within the black community rather than trying to be inclusive.

[Duncan Grant]

2. As an 8 year old boy, I challenged adults regarding their racism.

You can imagine my disappointment whenever I hear African-American religious leaders marginalize the lives of GLBT people. If ever there were natural allies in the struggle against ignorance, fear, and violence - it would be us.

I wish I could ask Bayard Ruskin about it.

[Laughing Mirror]

3. Together we shall

Thanks for posting this.

[The Brethren]

4. Coretta Scott King

is quite a lady, a very eloquent and poignant speaker and an outspoken supporter of the gay/lesbian community which I very much appreciate.