In 2004, Coretta Scott King spoke out in opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment backed by President Bush and many of his Republican friends in Congress. She boldly declared that "gay and lesbian people have families, and their families should have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union." She added that "a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages is a form of gay bashing and it would do nothing at all to protect traditional marriages." I would like to offer a couple more quotes from Mrs. King on the subject of gay rights.
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 (Chicago Defender, 04/01/1998).
We have a lot more work to do in our common struggle against bigotry and discrimination. I say "common struggle" because I believe very strongly that all forms of bigotry and discrimination are equally wrong and should be opposed by right-thinking Americans everywhere. 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 (Opening Plenary Session, 13th Annual Creating Change Conference of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 11/09/2000).
For taking the bold stand that she did for gay and lesbian rights, Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church are planning to picket Mrs. King's funeral. For my part, I thank Coretta Scott King for standing up for my rights, and I commend her soul to our God and Father. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
