The Rev. Bernice King, daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., recently made history by becoming the first woman chosen to lead the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which was founded by her father.
At first glance, that might sound like a great things for the LGBT community: a Christian organization headed up by a member of the King family. But take a second look and you see it’s not so great at all.
The thing is, Bernice King is one of the very few King family members who is on the record as being anti-gay. Colleagues of MLK Jr. have said that if he were still alive he would be a gay rights proponent, and most of those same colleagues are themselves gay rights supporters. His wife, the late Coretta Scott King, spoke out in favor of gay rights, including same-sex marriage. His daughter Yolanda King was also an outspoken supporter of LGBT rights.
But Bernice King is an evangelical Christian in every sense of the word. In fact, she led an anti-gay-marriage march in December 2004 that culminated at her father’s gravesite. It is a position that, given the apparent widespread support in the African-American community for the anti-gay-marriage Prop 8 in California last November, that many black Americans share.
But not all.
In a column posted today on TheDailyVoice.com, billed as “black America’s daily news source,” Earl Ofari Hutchinson calls on Bernice King to renounce her anti-gay stance, saying that with that 2004 march, “King sullied her father’s name to show her enmity to gay marriage. She also sullied her mother’s too.”
Hutchinson writes: “[Martin Luther] King deeply believed that embodied in the civil rights cause was a person’s right to be whom and what he was. King may have even praised his daughter for having the courage and conviction to march for her beliefs, but that would not have changed his unyielding belief that bigotry is still bigotry, whether it’s racial or sexual preference, and must be uncompromisingly opposed.”
Go read the rest of Mr. Hutchinson’s column. And then take the time to read the comments people have posted about it. It will make you think — and thinking about these issues, and trying to find some kind of understanding and some kind of common ground are the only way that any of us can ever truly win the equal rights battle.
18 Comments
I look forward to the day when people will finally stop using the term, “sexual preference.”
Ms. King is a hack, and has become the oppressive force that murdered her father. Her reckless ignorance regarding the connections between sex, gender, race, sexuality, transphobia, classism, and anti-semitism will keep her as a powerless, useless force, and will not facilitate equality for the people that she attempts to speak for.
Its sad indeed that miss king has chosen to dishonor her parents by believing the lies about homosexuality rather than truely thinking for herself and actually researching this subject from a non-biased position.
Sadder still because there are more gay african americans than she and, I would wager, others are aware of.
Religion speaks again.
It’s a shame we can’t separate the good Christians from the ones with bigoted belief systems.
The truth is that all Christians are bigoted and have been since the history of the Church being the government of the Christian soul. Bigotry is iin the nature of modern Christianity and therefore there is no separating “good” Christians from “bad” Christians based on bigotry. You cannot be a true Christian and not be a bigot – they are inseparable.
Christians will be homophobic until the Church releases them from such bigotry.
Gay means happy.It does not mean homosexual. Be homosexual but, don’t lie on Jesus. He gave his life so that we could live apart from sin. If you believe the Holy Bible, show me in there where it is acceptable to intimately, physically love a person of your same gender.
I support Ms King. Being gay is not normal. How will we reproduce? I have been divorced and remarried. I think people should know that Man is suppose to be with Eve, not Steve! That life style does not work and will not work. We wil not be able to have a tomorrow. Call me homophobic or whatever, but I totally support Rev King’s daughter’s position and all Christians must in order for the human race to survive.
@Johnny and @ Rolfe
Question, When’s the last time you ate some kind of shellfish like Lobster, Clams, or Shrimp?
Well guess what? ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE YOU’RE GOING TO HELL TOO!! Don’t believe me? Look it up.. It’s right there in front of your ignorant and feeble eyes…. Ohh, but let me guess, you decided to “ignore” that part because everyone eats them too right?
What the fuck kind of CHRISTIAN are you then??? HUH??
Don’t preach your pathetic bible crap to me.. Instead why don’t you go out to https://tinyurl.com/3fwye and then you tell me how perfectly pure and accurate your “good book” really is..
Ahh and while you’re at it, why don’t you do some quoting from the books that were left out of the King James Version like “The Secret Gospel of Mark” which *does* appear to have it’s share of homosexual undertones.. (bet your too damn stupid and ignorant to know this huh?)
Or how about the subtle Lesbian innuendo references in “The Book of Ruth”
Being is Gay *IS* normal because I am the “image of my creator” and before you just passing your judgement about *me* being an abomination.. guess what.. you more than likely ate one of the above shell fish and you’re an abomination too.. Now kindly explain yours.. I wanna here how you’re going to spin your way outta this.
Oh and by the way… I happen to be “married” and sleep with an Archbishop every night and have done so for the past 14 years.. Stick that in your judgmental and hate filled pipe and smoke it you narrow minded losers.
I never told you I ate any shellfish. Let’s keep that book of yours a secret. Last, you may need to consider enrolling in an anger management class.
Angry? You would be angry too when my rights as a human being are being dicttaed by hyypcrites such as you self.
What a pity you are. You seem like the type that woud step over a hungry man or woman just because of their sexual preference.
How Christian is that?
Oh what a loving and compassionate response posted here. And you’re right, you “never told me you ate any shellfish” Tick Tock Tick Tock… Well? Have you or Haven’t you ever eaten any? Tick Tock Tick tock…
This is a YES or NO answer and now it’s your time to truthfully answer… Tick Tock.. Tick Tock..
Funny how today’s religious freaks can always figure out a way to use their “good book” as a weapon but they can never use it to be truthful and compassionate..
Now be real careful Johnny when you answer my shellfish question.. Don’t forget your 10 commandments..
As for keeping my book secret? Kindly tell us why you think this is so important huh?
What? You think it might piss off all those hateful anti-gay supporters and realize that there’s more to the big picture than their religious authorities wanted them to know? Huh??
Do you think Ms. King might have a different viewpoint is she were asked to read this omitted portion of the Bible? Can’t have that now.. Gotta keep fueling the anger and frustration don’t we? This would change everything huh?
Tick Tock Tick Tock… cummon… the spotlight is on you Johhny… After you read this book then do us the favor of telling us whether the love for another man is really as bad as you say..
Tick Tock.. Tick Tock… Hurry.. Time’s running out.. If you wanna quote stuff, then why don’t you quote a passage from “The Secret Book Of Mark” and prove how flawed us gay men who were created in god’s own image are OK?.. Does this mean that God is flawed too?
The bottom line dude, is *You Were Taught To Hate* things that were different or “queer” by the family members who raised you. Rather than accept, respect and learn from them it’s easier to turn and walk away cuz their not part of “Your Tribe” In the meantime you have to work hard to excel at your goal to become superior in your tribe to prove that you are the best.. The best provider, the best, defender, the best attacker, and best at hating anything that’s different from the norm rather than looking at them from all angles and trying to learn from them.
The end result is that the rest of the world outside of your tribe continues to grow and your group becomes stagnant and withers away because time heals all. Today you’re a shining star.. and tomorrow your’re nothing more than a dead super-nova.
You don’t have to like everyone you know.. but many of us are taught to respect those around us anyhow whether we like it or not. Why? Because in the end you might learning something new after walking a mile in your so-called enemy’s shoes.. No, I would never want to hope for my own child to grow up homosexual and be hatefully persecuted like Christ on the cross for the rest of his life. But, at least I belong to a tribe who would still continue to support and nurture the love within that little person. But it seems that your tribe would be the first ones trying to either change or excommunicate him huh?
This in itself makes me far different in being a loving, caring, compassionate person. It doesn’t make me superior or better in any way.. Just different.. and to some that might equate to the word “QUEER” huh? Funny that! Dontcha think?
This should answer your question about the shell fish: 1 Tim 4:1-5 (KJV1) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Also, there is only one book attributed to St. Mark the Apostle of Jesus. It should not make you angry if I disagree with you. You can disagree with me and it is okay with me.I’mnot angry with you.
Shrimp, crab, lobster, clams, mussels, all these are an abomination before the Lord, just as gays are an abomination. Why stop at protesting gay marriage? Bring all of God’s law unto the heathens and the sodomites. We call upon all Christians to join the crusade against Long John Silver’s and Red Lobster. Yea, even Popeye’s shall be cleansed. The name of Bubba shall be anathema. We must stop the unbelievers from destroying the sanctity of our restaurants.
Leviticus 11:9-12 says:
9 These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.
10 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:
11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.
12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.
Deuteronomy 14:9-10 says:
9 These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat:
10 And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.
______________________________
I guess you missed those parts Johnny right?
Ohhh and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to research this either:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Gospel_of_Mark
Rick,
Sir, YOU DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE HOLY BIBLE NOR ARE YOU ABLE TO ABIDE BY IT. ANYBODY READING THE HOLY BIBLE KNOWS THAT THE FOOD LAWS HAVE CHANGED UNDER GRACE AND TRUTH. SO, I PREFER MY LOBSTER ASIAN STIR FRIED WITH GINGER AND ASSORTED VEGGIES. AND JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! UNTIL YOU BELEIVE THAT, THIS BACK AND FORTH WITH YOU HAS JUST ENDED FOR ME.
As someone who is Jewish, I take complete offense at your statement. You are free to eat anything you please, but you are attacking me and my religion AND the bible with your statement. And, by the way, I hope you realize, Jesus was Jewish and followed the laqws of the bible, including dietary laws. Those laws were changed later by others, not by Jesus.
So in future postings, please watch your anti-Semitic mouth.
Well Johnny,
As a High Priest of a religion and culture that is over 6,000 years old I don’t think you are in a position to tell me what I can and cannot understand following a religious pathway which exists at most maybe 3,000 years.
I respect what you have chosen to call your pathway which I was a part of in my early childhood. However, it is the narrow minded thinking of the masses which seems to be breed hate similar to the same judgment you have displayed right here among others in this public group.
Therefore rather than wish you any ill will or waste any further time attempting to enlighten you with a wider thought process, I bid you farewell. Go if you must, stay if you can, but above all, harm thee none along the way..
In the meantime I will focus on the four tenants of living which is: to know, to dare, to will, and to remain silent.
Goodbye.
Excellent dialog – thanks to all who participated.
You will never get her to accepts Gays anymore than she will accept that Jesus was Jewish. It’s just not in her level or that there is actually a book of Mary Magdillen. She’s just not educated about her own “religion” amd never will be.
The Bible this and the Bible that – It’s all based on a bunch of old comic books anyway so thanks again for the banter. It was enlightening and entertaining!
D.Taffet,
Christians have always been told to shut up about something. It is one of the most hated religions and I cannot be quiet. The intent was not to offend but, to answer the question that was asked.Since the Law are in effect, are you abiding by them? Do you follow the dietary laws and all the other hundreds fo laws. Are you homosexual or gay?If so, are you breaking the law? Do you believe that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah? If so, is he your savior? If you don’t believe he is the prophesied Messiah, are you not anti-Christ?