Bayard Rustin, who lived from 1912 to 1987, was an openly gay Quaker civil rights activist who was the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. While primarily an activist and strategist, his life and writings embodied the Quaker testimony of Equality. He notably linked the struggle for gay rights to the Civil Rights Movement, stating in 1986, “The question of social change should be framed with the most vulnerable group in mind: gay people.” This civil rights hero and lifelong activist, Quaker, socialist, and “Out” gay man, combatted racism and homophobia, and not just for himself but for all LGBTQ and Black Americans (many of whom are LGBTQ). The courage, compassion, and wisdom of Bayard Rustin is needed today. If we follow his example, we might wind up changing the world. He certainly did his part to do so.
