Bayard Rustin

Poster of Bayard Rustin with a cation that reads ‘We don’t assume anyone’s sexuality - everyone has the right to say for themselves how they identify. Our commonality affirms and celebrates queer people.’

Citation: Caryn Davidson and Laleña Garcia, “Queer Affirming,” Black Lives Matter Principles Posters, www.caryndavidson.com/.

Think About It: Why do you think it was a goal of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement to explicitly recognize queer rights as well as affirming and celebrating queer people?

Bayard Rustin (1912-1987) was an activist dedicated to combating racism and homophobia. He was one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s closest advisors and was extremely active in Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and helped to create the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

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