President Obama’s announcement that he supports gay marriage has provoked a spirited debate about whether or not African-Americans will continue to support him this November. Some black clergy have openly denounced President Obama’s position. Maryland State Delegate and Baptist minister Emmett Burns has publicly gone on record declaring that Obama will lose his re-election bid, even accusing the president of turning his back on his black constituency.

On the other hand, Rev. Otis Moss, III, of Trinity Baptist Church in Chicago, the Obamas’ former church once headed by the controversial Rev. Jeremiah Wright, wrote in an open letter in support of the president, saying, “There is no doubt people who are same-gender-loving who [sic] occupy prominent places in the body of Christ.”

In the midst of this contentious debate within the black community some have either ignored or forgotten the role some openly gay Americans played in fighting for the civil rights of all Americans regardless of race or sexual orientation. Most notable among them is Bayard Rustin.

A principal organizer of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, Bayard Rustin, who had worked with the original March in 1941, was a constant and steady force during the influential civil rights activities of the early 20th century. He was also openly gay. Yet neither Martin Luther King, Jr. nor A. Philip Randolph, with whom he worked intimately, voiced any known concern about his sexuality.

It is even been reported that until Rustin reached out to Dr. King in the early stages of the pivotal Montgomery Bus Boycott, Dr. King was not completely committed to nonviolent direct action. Armed men guarded his home and he, himself, reportedly owned a handgun. A veteran civil rights and human activist as well as pacifist, Rustin schooled Dr. King in the tactics of nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience, having studied it himself with those who worked closely with Gandhi in 1948 at a conference in India organized prior to Gandhi’s assassination.

Prior to Rustin’s important role as a key adviser to Dr. King, he had worked extremely closely with A. Philip Randolph, who is credited with introducing him to Gandhi’s philosophy and its usefulness in the struggle for civil rights in the United States. Rustin was also a pivotal figure in the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the well-known peace organization, and helped guide the founding of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). In fact, he was a key organizer for the Journey of Reconciliation in 1947, which inspired the more well-known Freedom Rides of the 1960s.

Rustin, who walked the walk, took part in those rides, personally challenging segregated bus transportation. Prior to that formal action, Rustin had refused to sit in segregated bus seating in 1942 and accepted a severe beating in Nashville by four cops. His refusal to resist was so extraordinary that the assistant district attorney released him uncharged.

Article source: http://www.thegrio.com/black-history/bayard-rustin-black-americans-cant-ignore-openly-gay-icons-contribution-to-civil-rights-movement.php

NEWS ONE Comedienne and star of popular sitcom ’90s show “Moesha” Yvette Wilson, is determined to survive the battle of her life. Wilson, who played “Andell Wilkerson” on the hit starring Brandy, has Stage 4 cervical cancer and is in dire need of funds in order to pay her mounting medical bills.

Wilson, who also co-starred in such memorable films such as “House Party 2,” “House Party 3,” and “Friday,” is not only battling cancer but has also been plagued with kidney problems. Since Wilson’s kidneys are failing, she needs a kidney transplant as well.

Blacks have trouble clearing cervical cancer virus

Friend Jeffrey Pittle, a stage 4 cancer survivor himself, created a website for Wilson, so that folks can donate money that will not only help to cover her medical needs but also help with any transportation costs that are associated with her getting to various medical facilities.

Click here for the rest of the story.

Article source: http://www.thegrio.com/entertainment/yvette-wilson-moesha-star-fights-for-her-life-against-cervical-cancer.php

DETROIT (AP) — Popular Detroit pastor and gospel singer Marvin Winans was assaulted and carjacked Wednesday afternoon at a gas station on the city’s west side.

The attack happened about 3:20 p.m., and the suspects fled with an unknown amount of cash and Winans’ SUV, police said.

Winans, 54, told WXYZ-TV that four or five young men followed him from inside the gas station and attacked him while he gassed up his vehicle.

Winans said he didn’t believe he was seriously hurt, but planned to seek medical attention.

He said his attackers appeared to be among 10 young men he passed by inside the station, and he warily watched them as he pumped gas.

“I’m just saddened that it has come to this,” Winans said. “This kind of nonsense just has to stop. It’s just the savageness of what’s happening in the street.”

He also believes his attackers didn’t recognize him. Winans is pastor of the 4,500-member Perfecting Church on Detroit’s east side. In February, he gave singer Whitney Houston’s eulogy.

“And if they did, it didn’t make much difference,” said Winans, who has been active in civic issues, including taking a stand against the proliferation of strip clubs in Detroit’s neighborhoods.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Article source: http://www.thegrio.com/news/marvin-winans-assaulted-carjacked-in-detroit.php