STAND

When it’s coming at you from all sides, what kind of person does it take to stand strong and do what has to be done?

For openly gay social justice advocate Bayard Rustin, that question was raised daily as he battled racism and homophobia while organizing the 1963 March on Washington that brought the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to prominence.

Come to Wealthy Theatre 7 p.m. Sunday Feb. 28 to see the free award-winning movie, “Brother Outsider: the life of Bayard Rustin.”

Mr. Rustin’s path of action, dignity and non-violence remains one of the lesser known stories of the civil rights movement. And the beauty of Black History month is that those acts of character in American history that are highlighted for 28 days, can be used to inspire ALL for 365 days a year.

The battles waged by Mr. Rustin are not issues that remains in the past. Racism and homophobia remain twin evils today. And when the person feeling the brunt of the attack is black and gay, the load can be insurmountable. But he did not bend.

How many lgbt (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) people are ignored, dismissed or demonized in their churches right here in Grand Rapids?

How many have become invisible in their pews when they come to a church looking for guidance, acceptance, love?

What does that do to a person’s psyche and to their ability to be all that God has made them to be when they are told that they are on the wrong side of love?

Let’s start the community conversations.

“Brother Outsider,” the movie sponsored by GIFT (Gays In Faith Together) is in honor of Black History Month. GIFT is continuing it’s outreach to all with an affirming message that there are no mistakes, God made and loves us all and YES, you can be gay and Christian.

Come, join us.