This except and the link below is to the New Civil Rights blog, and the whole post there, is worth reading. Especially check out the video clips. While the National Organization for Marriage(NOM) has tried to rewrite history by trotting out some other relative who is anti-gay, the reality is that Coretta Scott King, the person closest to MLKJR, and who knew him the best has spoken passionately is support of GLBT Equality and their place within the whole of what we call the Civil Rights Movement.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated 43 years ago today in Memphis where he was working in support of labor rights for sanitation workers. King, an African-American civil rights leader five years earlier had led the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. The day before he was shot to death, King had received a bomb threat and talked about it in a speech now known as his ”I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” address, the last paragraph stating,

“And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

The hater/bigots will not cease to try and keep us marginalized and isolated until we have full civil rights, and even then, their efforts to thwart us may continue, but we must not be hesitant to keep moving forward, until we have achieved our rightful place as equal Americans.

My favorite MLKJR quote is here. I don’t know what speech it is from, but I have loved is since it saw it published a number of years ago:

“When evil men plot, good men must plan.  When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind.  When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. Shot 43 Years Ago Today Supporting Labor Rights.

Watch: “Coretta Scott King Speaks In Support Of Gay, Lesbian Equality“