Twenty-five, 30 years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves… — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
The barometer for judging the character of people, in regard human rights, is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian. The judgment as to whether you can trust the future, the social advancement - depending on people - will… — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
Black gay activists should try to build coalitions of people for the elimination of all injustice. — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
When you're wrong, you're wrong. But when you're right, you're wrong anyhow. — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
Every indifference to prejudice is suicide because, if I don’t fight all bigotry, bigotry itself will be strengthened and, sooner or later, it will… — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
I am an opponent of war and of war preparations and an opponent of universal military training and conscription; but entirely apart from that… — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
Martin Luther King, with whom I worked very closely, became very distressed when a number of the ministers working for him wanted him to… — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
If we desire a society of peace, then we cannot achieve such a society through violence. If we desire a society without discrimination, then… — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
The real radical is that person who has a vision of equality and is willing to do those things that will bring reality closer… — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
The only weapon we have is our bodies, and we need to tuck them in places so wheels don't turn — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
Bigotrys birthplace is the sinister back room of the mind where plots and schemes are hatched for the persecution and oppression of other human… — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
My activism did not spring from being black...The racial injustice that was present in this country during my youth was a challenge to my… — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
If we desire a society in which men are brothers, then we must act towards one another with brotherhood. If we can build such… — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
We are all one - and if we don't know it, we will learn it the hard way. — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
I believe there are certain types of movements which cannot be married. — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
Looking back at his career, Mr. Rustin, a Quaker, once wrote: ‘The principal factors which influenced my life are 1) nonviolent tactics; 2) constitutional… — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
When an individual is protesting society's refusal to acknowledge his dignity as a human being, his very act of protest confers dignity on him. — Bayard Rustin Copy Share Image
