Tribute to
Bayard Rustin:
An American Original
"To be afraid is to behave as if
the truth were not true"
Bayard Rustin transcends history. He is an American original who helped shaped America, transforming it into a more just society at a time when justice for African Americans was an intermittent, random reality. Bayard was born March 17, 1912, and was a proud, openly gay Black man. He lived a phenomenal life, and we believe that he has not been celebrated with due diligence.
He was a civil rights activist, who was a close advisor to and trusted friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bayard served as the executive director of, and was responsible for organizing, the "1963 March On Washington for Jobs and Freedom" where King delivered his eternal "I Have a Dream" speech. Rustin was a Quaker who helped develop King's philosophy of non-violence. He was the drum major for justice that King spoke about. His passion for equality and social justice informed his core and substance as he believed that every human being deserved to have a peaceful, decent life.
![[object Object]](http://mediumfour.net/Drupal/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/12679.jpg) Bayard Rustin was a man of so many gifts. NBJC recognizes his spirit through the words of his partner, Walter Naegle.
We highly recommend the amazing documentary about Bayard Rustin's life, "Brother Outsider." To purchase the DVD and find out more about Bayard Rustin, CLICK HERE.
NBJC Co-Founder Mandy Carter Gives Keynote at Opening of Bayard Rustin Center
Social justice activist Mandy Carter was the keynote speaker at the dedication of Guilford College’s Bayard Rustin Center for LGBTQA Activism, Awareness and Reconciliation (BRC) on Wednesday, March 16, in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Formerly the Queer and Allied Resource Center, the BRC is named in honor of Bayard Rustin, a Quaker who was a mentor to Martin Luther King Jr. and a pioneer in advocating civil rights for African-Americans, gays and lesbians. Rustin, the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, is credited with introducing non-violent Gandhian principles and tactics in the American Civil Rights Movement, leading to direct actions such as sit-ins, marches and boycotts.
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Anniversary for marriage – Washington Blade
Rev. Darlene Garner and Rev. Candy Holmes are long-time friends of NBJC. They were married in Washington, D.C. last year, some of the first to be married legally. In an interview with the MCC ministers, they talk about the “heavenly” difference being married has made in their lives. They are fully embraced by family and friends and wait for the day when marriage will be legal in Maryland, the state in which they reside.
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28-year old gay man elected NAACP Worcester Chief – Boston Herald
 The fact that the Worcester Branch of the NAACP has elected an openly gay man as President bodes well for the future of the venerable organization. Indeed, his election signals a generational shift about LGBT people and young adults during a time when many feel that the NAACP needs new ideas and new direction. NBJC applauds the NAACP of Worcester for electing Ravi Perry.
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Guest column by Irene Monroe: Rev. Peter Gomes, an accidental gay advocate – Pam's House Blend
 We are not finished honoring Rev. Peter Gomes. Former NBJC Board member–Rev. Irene Monroe–writes a compelling tribute to her friend and mentor, Rev. Peter Gomes, who passed away on February 28, 2011. Even though he may be remembered as “an accidental gay advocate,” he was right on time and staunchly committed to LGBT rights and equality for all.
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A sweeping survey of Americans' sexual behavior – Washington Post
 How many women report having same-sex contact? How many men? The National Survey of Family Growth gives statistics that may surprise you. Here is a hint: Women are more likely than men to have same-sex liaisons…or they are at least more comfortable talking about it.
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Eddie Long isn't out of the woods yet – TheGrio.com
 Bishop Eddie Long is in mediation with the lawyers of the four young men who have accused him of sexual impropriety. This article lays out the many issues Bishop Long is dealing with including staff layoffs and a shortened work week at his church, New Birth Missionary Baptist in Lithonia, Georgia. What is happening is not what he promised—a fight between Eddie Long as “David—with 5 stones” and “Goliath” the system that seeks out truth. Reports are that Bishop Long has not responded in the mediation process to an admission of guilt. But some say that going through mediation is in itself an admission of guilt.
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Pastor on Emanuel Team Antigay? – Advocate.com
 Rahm Emanuel is the newly elected mayor of Chicago. He has a new transition team that includes African American Rev. Bryon Brazier. The question has been asked, ‘Is Rev. Brazier anti-gay?’ because he belongs to the Apostolic Church of God, which is not known for being progressive on LGBT rights, and his late father (a pastor) supported amending the Constitution to ban marriage equality. Rev. Irene Monroe feels his selection is troubling: “Why that particular church when there are so many progressive churches he can choose from?” she asks.
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Artist Glenn Ligon: Art That Transcends 'Black' and 'Gay' – TheRoot.org
 His work hangs on the wall in the private quarters of President and Mrs. Obama, and now Artist Glenn Ligon’s work can be seen by the world. His art will be featured at the Whitney Museum, which began on March 10, 2011. The Whitney Museum will present "Glenn Ligon: America," a midcareer retrospective with more than 100 works, which will be on view through June 5. His art transcends black and gay by tapping into the most universal of human emotions and experiences.
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On evangelical campuses, rumblings of gay acceptance – Christian Century
 Evangelical schools have been notorious in defending anti-LGBT stances for students, staff and faculty. But now, are we seeing a major shift in attitudes about homosexuality and LGBT organizing on evangelical campuses? The answer seems to be “yes,” at least among young evangelicals, there is a sea change in attitudes. However, not everyone is happy with these turns of events.
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'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Is Alive and Well for Gay Educators – Takepart.com
 For thousands of LGBT teachers, the concept of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is not just a discriminatory military policy but a painful fact of life in their daily existence in America’s classrooms. Many educators feel they must hide who they are everyday and live in fear of being outed and fired. While our focus in the effort to create safe schools is on students, be aware that teachers also get harassed, get called names and even fired as they endeavor to negotiate being good teachers while remaining in the closet. It is “an unspoken code.”
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Navy seeks to discharge sailor found asleep in bed with another male sailor – Washington Post
 The Navy wants to discharge a sailor who was found sleeping in bed with another sailor. The sailor insists there was nothing going on but sleep. Navy officials think otherwise and are seeking discharge orders. The repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is not yet complete, and there are those who wish to enforce it until the bitter end.
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Huckabee Uses Role at Fox News to Launch Anti-Gay Attacks – Media Matters.org
 2012 presidential hopeful, Mike Huckabee, uses the amplified microphone of FOX News to promote his discriminatory views on LGBT rights. He has stated that Coretta Scott King was “absolutely, fundamentally 100% wrong on this issue,” the issue being her support of LGBT rights. Is Huckabee right in asserting that people with HIV/AIDS should be “isolated” and is legalizing marriage for lesbian and gay couples the same as legalizing “drug use, incest and polygamy”? That is Mr. Huckabee’s position, and many more highlight his ignorance about the LGBT struggle for equality.
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For Younger Class of Political Operatives, Gay Rights Issues Often Pit Them Against Their Candidates – Huffington Post
 Older Republican politicos are having to contend with younger Republican operatives who are pro-LGBT rights. This is a new phenomena that shows a generational divide between old school Republicans, for which anti-LGBT attitudes are deemed necessary, and the new school of young Republicans, who see no future in the GOP being aggressively homophobic. It is clear the Republican Party is at a crossroads.
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Supporters of Maryland Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Bill Speak During Equality Maryland Press Conference – Metroweekly.com
 NBJC supports the efforts of those working to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity in employment, housing, leasing and licensing. These issues were a part of a testimony before the Maryland House of Delegates Health and Government Operations Committee held March 9. Transgender people have high rates of unemployment due to discrimination.
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Black Transwoman Killed In Arkansas-Disrespected By Media – Transgriot.com
 In addition to discrimination, many transgender people face violence, as evidenced in the case of Marcal Camero Tye. Even in death, there can be disrespect as the media did not take the time or did not care to identify her with the proper designation. Once again, this is a part of a "long tired pattern" of disrespect. She was misgendered.
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Hate-Crime Victim's YouTube Vid – Advocate.com
 African American Justin Alesna was physically assaulted by a man who hurled gay slurs at him and punched him in the eye. No one in the store came to his aid. Justin took his case to YouTube and Facebook.
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Black Voters Are Pragmatic About Gay Marriage – TheRoot.org
 Historically, African Americans have always had a semblance of sophistication and savvy in voting. The ROOT examines a surprising report that Black voters who don’t support marriage equality will still vote for and support candidates that do. For many African American voters, economic and social justice issues are more urgent than policies designed to discriminate against LGBT families.
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Inside Obama's Gay-Marriage Decision – The Daily Beast
Behind the scenes negotiations and strategy sessions have been a major component of President Obama’s evolving stance on marriage equality. David Stone of The Daily Beast reports that Obama’s surprise decision to no longer defend DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act) was due partly because he felt “it’s the right thing to do” and that there were many LGBT groups pressuring him to do so.
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Gay Marriage Denies Gays Their Rights? – LezGetReal.com
 Alan Keyes uses convoluted logic and contorted facts to assert a position that gay men and lesbians should not be allowed to marry. Mr. Keyes says that “granting homosexuals the right to marry is like granting plantation owners the right to own slaves.” Keyes also asserts that couples who cannot conceive a child should not be granted the privilege of marriage. Mr. Keyes threw his daughter out of the house and out of the family for coming out as a lesbian.
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Sam Arora, marriage equality and the race card – Washington Post
There has been a lot of controversy around certain legislators in Maryland regarding their support for marriage equality. Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post and others have been accused of using “the race card” against Native American Maryland House Delegate Sam Arora who campaigned on marriage rights and has waffled in his voting stance.
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