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I, Too, Am Black History: Bayard RustinBy Candace Y.A. Montague February 13, 2012
Since this is Black History Month, I would be remiss if I didn't highlight some of the African-American LGBT pioneers who paved the way for equality and acceptance. What does this have to do with AIDS? It's simple. Stigma comes from ignorance. Stigma drives hate and forces people to conceal their true selves and their struggles (such as with HIV). Stigma can lead people to engage in unhealthy and risky behaviors behind closed doors. So in order to demolish stigma, we need more education. During the month of February I will implant a few lessons for my readers about some great members of the African-American LGBT community who lived out loud. They were trailblazers. Fierce, outstanding, unapologetic, and courageous people who simply would not take "no" for answer. First Featured Warrior: Bayard RustinBayard (rhymes with hired) Rustin was born on March 17, 1910 in West Chester, Pennsylvania. His grandparents raised him as a Quaker. In 1932, he entered Wilberforce University on a vocal music scholarship. He finished his education at City College of New York. While in New York, Rustin became interested in the famous Scottsboro Nine case where nine black young men were accused of raping two white women on a train. This experience was Rustin's first exposure to activism. Bayard was a master organizer. He was tapped to organize several marches along his journey including the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. He was also a member of several organizations including, the Communist Party of America, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Socialist Party of America, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Many described Rustin as dependable and strategic so when it was time for action, he was the man that could get it. Imprisonment didn't stop this warrior from fighting for his rights and the rights of others in a non-violent way. Rustin was arrested many times in his life. His longest imprisonment was in 1943 when he was arrested for refusing to go to war because he was a pacifist. In 1953, Rustin was arrested for engaging in lewd sexual acts with two other men in a car in Pasadena, California. It was against the law, at the time, for men to engage in consensual sodomy. He served 60 days for this "crime." It was then that he was outcasted for his sexual orientation and was characterized by Strom Thurmond as a "communist, draft dodger and a homosexual." This still did not halt Rustin in his quest to be an activist and ally to marginalized populations. During the Gay Rights Movement, Bayard Rustin was an outspoken advocate. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he continued to fight for gay rights and acceptance. He was an elections monitor for Freedom House and testified on behalf of the New York State's gay rights bill. Bayard Rustin died of a perforated appendix on August 24, 1987. He was 77 years old. In 2003, a movie about Rustin debuted at the Sundance film festival. It received rave reviews. Get email notifications every time this blog is updated.
Comment by: Uku
(DC)
Mon., Mar. 5, 2012 at 11:12 am EST Nice! I see you're still writing good stuff. Keep up the good work!
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D.C. HIV/AIDS Examiner  Candace Y.A. Montague Candace Y.A. Montague has been learning about HIV since 1988 (and she has the certificates from the American Red Cross to prove it). Health is a high priority to Candace because she believes that nothing can come of your life if you're not healthy enough to enjoy it. One of her two master's degrees is in Community Health Promotion and Education. Candace was inspired to act against HIV after seeing a documentary in 2008 about African-American women and HIV. She knew that writing was the best way for her to make a difference and help inform others. Candace is a native Washingtonian and covers HIV news all around D.C. She has covered fundraisers, motorcycle rides, town hall meetings, house balls, Capitol Hill press conferences, election campaigns and protests for The DC Examiner.com and emPower News Magazine. Subscribe to Candace's Blog:
Recent Posts:
April 5, 2013 - The Sexual Health Lessons of Tyler Perry's Tempation: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague
March 25, 2013 - Candace's AIDS News Update: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague March 11, 2013 - Three Condoms Rule No More: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague March 5, 2013 - HIV Prevention Strategies for Women Proven Ineffective: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague February 8, 2013 - Black HIV/AIDS Awareness: Eight Points to Keep in Mind A Brief Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by TheBody.com's bloggers are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheBody.com itself. |
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