Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2005 12:01:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: James Nimmo <violadamore2 at yahoo.com> Subject: Gay Leader Barred From Speaking At Millions More March--my, my , what would jesus do?
Gay Leader Barred From Speaking At Millions More March
by Paul Johnson 365Gay.com Washington Bureau Chief
(Washington) Gay African American leader Keith Boykin was prevented from speaking Saturday morning at the Millions More March on the National Mall, despite an invitation from march organizer Louis Farrakhan.
Boykin, President of the National Black Justice Committee, had been invited on Wednesday by Farrakhan after the organization publicly criticized Farrakhan for excluding Black gays and lesbians from the planning process.
As Boykin was about to climb the stairs to the podium, Rev. Willie Wilson told a speech coordinator to tell Boykin that the decision to allow him to address marchers had been rescinded. Boykin said that Wilson was smirking as he spoke to the woman.
In a statement the NBJC said it is deeply disappointed by the decision.
"In our previous conversations with Minister Farrakhan, he has consistently kept his word. Rev. Wilson, however, has not been cooperative. We call on Minister Farrakhan to fulfill our agreement," the statement said.
Wilson is executive director of the Millions More Movement. He is also pastor of Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast Washington, the District's largest Black congregation and has a record of homophobia.
In July Wilson, warned his congregation that "Sisters making more money than brothers and it's creating problems in families … that's one of the reasons many of our women are becoming lesbians." (story)
In the July 3 sermon entitled "You've Got to Fight to Be Free" he also said, "Lesbianism is about to take over our community. I'm talking about young girls. My son in high school last year tried to go to the prom. He said, 'Dad, I ain't got nobody to take to the prom because all the girls in my class are gay. Ain't but two of 'em straight, and both of them ugly.'"
Wilson went on to say, "I ain't homophobic because everybody here got something wrong with him," he said. "But … women falling down on another woman, strapping yourself up with something, it ain't real. That thing ain't got no feeling in it. It ain't natural. Anytime somebody got to slap some grease on your behind and stick something in you, it's something wrong with that. Your butt ain't made for that.
In preparing for the Millions More March Rev. Farrakhan reached out to gay African Americans saying they would be welcome, but the NBJC and other Black gay organizations threatened to hold their own rally saying they had been cut out of the planning process for Millions More. (story)
Last month Farrakhan held a conference call with leaders of the groups - the first such meeting he has had with LGBT African Americans -in a bid to resolve differences over the weekend event to mark the tenth anniversary of the Million Man March. During the conference call Farrakhan said that he would consider allowing a gay Black leader to speak.
Last week the NBJC submitted a list of 10 names to Farrakhan of prominent black lesbian, gay and bisexual leaders. (story) Ironically Boykin's name was not on the list.
Wednesday members of the NBJC board met face to face with the controversial Nation of Islam leader and the invitation was offered to Boykin. (story)
Boykin was planning to talk about hostility toward homosexuals in the black community, said Ray Daniels, communications director for the group.
NBJC leaders were trying to arrange a meeting with Farrakhan, hoping he will intercede and allow Boykin to speak later in the day.
Thousands of people from across the country are gathered on the mall, marking the tenth anniversary of the Million Man March.
-- Michael Pugliese