Anyone Following National LGBT History Month ? Today's James Baldwin Day.

[Smarmie Doofus]

JAMES BALDWIN
Freedom Day Hero

http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/876441/a503a2bce9/1536529317/72bd7a9759/

The March on Washington on August 28, 1963, was organized by BAYARD RUSTIN, an openly gay colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Energized by participating in the March, JAMES BALDWIN, internationally acclaimed author and openly gay man together with nationally prominent comedian Dick Gregory and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) organized Freedom Day in Selma, Alabama.

While Dallas County was 57% black, only 1% of the registered voters were African American. Three hundred people lined up to register to vote in Selma, the county seat. Only 40 were processed. They were required to pass oral and written exams.

Those in line and their supporters were met by over 50 Alabama State Police and sheriff posse armed with guns, night sticks and prods. Some supporters were beaten and jailed.

Freedom Day laid the groundwork for the Selma to Montgomery March led by Dr. King and for the Voting Rights Act in 1965.

To learn more about 2006 LGBT History Month Icon JAMES BALDWIN - click here

To learn more about 2006 LGBT History Month Icon BAYARD RUSTIN - click here

[LostinRed]

1. Thanks for the links

Giovanni's Room is one of my favorite books. When I read that in high school it really helped me accept myself as gay.

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. See post #2. ( Meant as reply to you.)

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. He was mesmerizing. Watch this interview from the early sixties:

Who communicates that well anymore?

[Old Union Guy]

4. I never pay much attention to National this or that week or month, but ...

As it happens, I'm in the midst of reading Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin.

Or rather re-reading after many years. I was going through my stuff and found my old copy. So I decided to read it again.

It was an inspiration to me in my 20s (in the 70s), and I'm getting even more out of it now.

Everybody go read it, OK?

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. OK by me. Go for it, people. n/t