Coretta Scott King

Coretta Scott King, the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., died on Jan. 31, 2006. She turned a life shattered by her husband's assassination into one devoted to enshrining his legacy of human rights and equality. She called on the civil rights community to join in the struggle against homophobia and anti-gay bias.

"Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood," King stated. "This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimize the next minority group."
- from Chicago Defender, April 1, 1998

"I believe all Americans who believe in freedom, tolerance and human rights have a responsibility to oppose bigotry and prejudice or based on sexual orientation."