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Culture

Angelic Troublemakers

By
Nadine Bridges, Executive Director
January 15, 2024
•
#
min read

As a queer Black woman, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holds profound significance for me as it serves as a reminder of the power of unity and the relentless pursuit of social justice and equity. On this day, I not only reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but also pay homage to the often underrecognized contributions of Bayard Rustin, a courageous Black Queer leader who played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement.

Rustin's words, "We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers," resonate deeply with the challenges we face today. In this critical moment, all of our communities must stand as disruptors against those who seek to strip us of our dignity. Rustin also stated, "The barometer for judging the character of people in regards to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian." His words highlight the urgency of the times we live in, where the future of social progress directly relate to the ways in which individuals will align themselves with this issue.

In a time where the rights of the queer community are under threat, there is a concerted effort to push us towards inequality and exclusion, rather than fostering equity and inclusion. As a community, now is the moment to persistently press forward, ensuring our communities not only survive but thrive, while reserving judgment for those who obstruct progress.

Bayard Rustin's unapologetic existence as a queer Black man and his commitment to the pursuit of justice inspire me to embrace my identity without hesitation and to continuously advocate for the rights of our community. As we commemorate the dream envisioned by MLK, let’s remember those who stood beside him but were often forgotten - and let's celebrate the joy within our own queer community and stand united against injustice.

Learn more about Rustin's life and legacy at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (nmaahc.si.edu/bayard-rustin).

Photo: Bayard Rustin, January 1, 1965. Taken by Stanley Wolfson of the World Telegram & Sun. Creative Commons courtesy of the Library of Congress.

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When you visit websites, they may store or retrieve data in your browser. This storage is often necessary for the basic functionality of the website. The storage may be used for marketing, analytics, and personalization of the site, such as storing your preferences. Privacy is important to us, so you have the option of disabling certain types of storage that may not be necessary for the basic functioning of the website. Blocking categories may impact your experience on the website.
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These items allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language, or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. For example, a website may provide you with local weather reports or traffic news by storing data about your current location.
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These items help the website operator understand how its website performs, how visitors interact with the site, and whether there may be technical issues. This storage type usually doesn’t collect information that identifies a visitor.
Confirm my preferences and close
Posts
Culture

Angelic Troublemakers

By
Nadine Bridges, Executive Director
January 15, 2024
•
#
min read

As a queer Black woman, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holds profound significance for me as it serves as a reminder of the power of unity and the relentless pursuit of social justice and equity. On this day, I not only reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but also pay homage to the often underrecognized contributions of Bayard Rustin, a courageous Black Queer leader who played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement.

Rustin's words, "We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers," resonate deeply with the challenges we face today. In this critical moment, all of our communities must stand as disruptors against those who seek to strip us of our dignity. Rustin also stated, "The barometer for judging the character of people in regards to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian." His words highlight the urgency of the times we live in, where the future of social progress directly relate to the ways in which individuals will align themselves with this issue.

In a time where the rights of the queer community are under threat, there is a concerted effort to push us towards inequality and exclusion, rather than fostering equity and inclusion. As a community, now is the moment to persistently press forward, ensuring our communities not only survive but thrive, while reserving judgment for those who obstruct progress.

Bayard Rustin's unapologetic existence as a queer Black man and his commitment to the pursuit of justice inspire me to embrace my identity without hesitation and to continuously advocate for the rights of our community. As we commemorate the dream envisioned by MLK, let’s remember those who stood beside him but were often forgotten - and let's celebrate the joy within our own queer community and stand united against injustice.

Learn more about Rustin's life and legacy at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (nmaahc.si.edu/bayard-rustin).

Photo: Bayard Rustin, January 1, 1965. Taken by Stanley Wolfson of the World Telegram & Sun. Creative Commons courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Share this post
Copy share link
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Twitter
Share on Facebook
Blog

Related posts

Read more to stay up-to-date on the latest Culture happenings at One Colorado.

View all
Culture

Trans Day of Visibility

Transgender Day of Visibility is a day to celebrate the lives and lived experiences of trans people!
Culture

2024 Black History Month

Celebrating LGBTQ+ Black activists, artists, and community leaders both past and present, plus Black-led and serving organizations and resources by and for the Black queer community.
Culture

Trans Awareness Week Highlights

Deja, Cass, and Syre share their experiences as trans Coloradans with One Colorado during Trans Awareness Week 2023.

Stay in the know

Get updates on LGBTQ+ news, events, and ways to be involved!
303 E. 17th Ave, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 396-6170info@one-colorado.org
One Colorado
Our Focus
Take Action
Progress
Resources
Programs
Latest
Donate
Events
Action Fund
State Advocacy
Legislative Reports
Legislation Tracker
Endorsements
Donate
General
Team
Careers
Contact
Board Login
© 2023 One Colorado. All rights reserved.
Branding and website by Luum Studio
Privacy PolicyAccessibilityTerms of ServiceCookies Settings