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Quote by Bayard Rustin

“I believe there are certain types of movements which cannot be married.”

Author

Bayard Rustin was a prominent African American civil rights activist who played a significant role in the American civil rights movement. He was a strategist and advisor to many civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr. Rustin was a key figure in the organization of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, one of the largest political protests in U.S. history. He was also a leader in the gay rights movement and advocated for nonviolent protest and civil disobedience. more

“You have to join every other movement for the freedom of people. Therefore join the movement as individuals against anti-Semitism, join the movements for the rights of Hispanics, the rights of women, the rights of gays. In other words, I think that each movement has to stand on its own feet because it has a particular agenda, but it can ask other people.”

People Thinking Asks Individual Rights Feet Movement Particular Gay Agendas Anti Semitism

Author:Bayard Rustin

“If people do not organize in the name of their interest, the world will not take them as being serious. And that is the chief reason that every person who is gay should join some gay organization. Because he must prove to the world that he cares about his own freedom.”

People Ifs World Should Persons Reason Care Names Interest Serious Gay Prove Organization Chiefs Organize

Author:Bayard Rustin

“People will never fight for your freedom if you have not given evidence that you are prepared to fight for it yourself.”

People Ifs Fighting Given Evidence Prepared Your Freedom

Author:Bayard Rustin

“Every gay who is in the closet is ultimately a threat to the freedom of gays. I don't want to seem intolerant to them and I think we have to say that to them with a great deal of affection, but remaining in the closet is the other side of the prejudice against gays. Because until you challenge it, you are not playing an active role in fighting it.”

Thinking Want Seems Fighting Sides Challenges Deals Roles Gay Prejudice Threat Affection Active Closets

Author:Bayard Rustin