This 1986 public statement finds Bayard Rustin urging Mayor Koch to veto amendments that would weaken New York City’s human rights protections for gay and lesbian people. Drawing on decades of civil rights activism, Rustin argues that laws should provide equal protection for all groups and warns against creating discriminatory loopholes. The statement reflects his enduring belief that the rights and security of every community are interconnected.
Rustin’s Appeal to Mayor Koch
In this letter to Mayor Ed Koch, Bayard Rustin forcefully defends New York’s Gay Rights Bill, urging leaders to protect it in its strongest form as a measure of true democracy. Drawing on his civil rights experience, Rustin frames LGBTQ+ rights as a universal human rights issue and asserts the responsibility of political power to safeguard those most vulnerable.
Direct Lobbying Correspondence to the Mayor and City Council
This 1986 lobbying campaign highlights Bayard Rustin’s efforts to defend New York City’s newly enacted protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Through letters to Mayor Koch and city councilmembers, Rustin urged officials to reject amendments that would weaken the law and create loopholes in its enforcement. Drawing on decades of civil rights experience, he argued that equal protection under the law must be preserved for all groups and warned against procedural tactics that could undermine civil rights progress.
