Bayard in 1963
The best place to go to learn more about Bayard Rustin is the documentary Brother Outsider. You may be able to watch it for free on Netflix or PBS, depending on where you are, or take it out from your library. If not, you can buy it here. Here’s the trailer:
Bayard was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. Bayard’s partner Walter accepted it on his behalf. Here are President Obama’s remarks:
Now, early in the morning the day of the March on Washington, the National Mall was far from full and some in the press were beginning to wonder if the event would be a failure. But the march’s chief organizer, Bayard Rustin, didn’t panic. As the story goes, he looked down at a piece of paper, looked back up, and reassured reporters that everything was right on schedule. The only thing those reporters didn’t know was that the paper he was holding was blank. He didn’t know how it was going to work out, but Bayard had an unshakable optimism, nerves of steel, and, most importantly, a faith that if the cause is just and people are organized, nothing can stand in our way.
So, for decades, this great leader, often at Dr. King’s side, was denied his rightful place in history because he was openly gay. No medal can change that, but today, we honor Bayard Rustin’s memory by taking our place in his march towards true equality, no matter who we are or who we love.