| Like
many of you, I was awestruck that the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr., would take part in a march to “save marriage” that kicked
off at the King Center in Atlanta, Ga.
I’ve never met Bernice King, but I have met other members of the
King family. During the time I lived in Atlanta I spoke with Coretta Scott
King on a few ocassions for media-related purposes. She also attended the
same gym I did in downtown Atlanta. I was well aware of her support for
LGBT issues and — more recently — not the least bit surprised
when she spoke out against the Federal Marriage Amendment and in support
of same-sex marriage.
“Gay and lesbian people have families, and their families should
have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union,” King
said. “A
constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages is a form of gay bashing,
and it would do nothing at all to protect traditional marriages.”
I had also interviewed her son Martin, and found him to be supportive of
LGBT rights. Although I recalled, in 1990, he had told a student group
in New York that gay people have “a problem.” I’m not
sure what he meant — and I’m not even sure he knew what he
meant — but he quickly issued an apology for the statement.
Then there was the niece — Alveda King. She also joined Bernice in
the recent “save marriage” march.
In 1997 Alveda King barnstormed the country speaking at rallies against
gay rights legislation. She was also attempting to mount a campaign for
office in Atlanta at the time I interviewed her. She had aligned herself
with the white, anti-choice and anti-gay politicians in the city, apparently
hoping for some kind of handout crossover vote from the very individuals
that would under other circumstances probably turn there nose up at her.
During one of our several conversations I asked Alveda why she had taken
the position she had against gays and lesbians.
“I don’t have anything against homesexuals,” she said.
She went on to explain that she had many gay acquaintances and that — one
of the oldest lines in the book — her hairdresser was gay and he
understood that she was doing what she thought was best.
A few days after our interviews, Alveda King telephoned me at my home very
early one morning. “The things you and I spoke about have been weighing
heavy on my mind,” she professed. “I even had a dream about
it because I had been thinking about it so much.”
I glanced at the clock. it was 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning and I was still
half asleep.
Groggy and somewhat annoyed, I responded, “what did you dream about
Alveda?”
“It was a strange dream, you know, because I never thought I could
have these feelings or thoughts before. But in my dream, I was a lesbian
involved
with another woman who was older than me and I was very sad because she
wanted to leave me for a younger woman.”
That certainly woke me up. Here was this kooky politician wannabe and someone
who had spoken out against gays across the country admitting to a reporter — one
that she knew was gay — that she had entertained some subconscious
notion about lesbian sexuality.
“That’s interesting,” I replied. “Why did you call
me so early to tell me about that?”
“I guess I didn’t want you to think I hated gay people,” she
continued. “I don’t.”
Then as if struck by a sudden realization of what she had just said, she
quickly admonished me with demands that I never repeat what she had just
spoken.
“Don’t tell anybody what I just told you,” she said flatly. “Because,
you know, it could cause you some problems if you did. I know some people.”
“You mean it would cause you some problems if I did,” I spouted
back.
“I think you know what I mean,” she said smugly.
I never forgot what Alveda King said to me that morning — and we
never spoke again. Although I knew I was well within my rights to re-tell
Alveda’s lame little dream story whenever I wanted to, I never bothered.
The fact that King was insinuating some kind of a threat seemed far more
interesting to me.
Today it perfectly captures the confusion the King family is struggling
with internally in regards to LGBT issues. At the top of the family tree
is Coretta Scott King — the woman left behind to carry on the legacy
of her slain husband. She has always been a friend and champion of the
LGBT community. We are truly fortunate to have this brilliant woman on
our side. |
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