On Monday, Huffpost Live host Marc Lamont Hill lead a discussion regarding the comparison between the LGBT rights movement s and the African-American Civil Rights Movement.
The discussion began with author John McWhorter, who recently wrote an opinion piece for the New York Daily News entitled, "Gay Really is the New Black" and also included Reverend Deborah Johnson, author Ishmael Reed, BuzzFeed LGBT channel editor Saeed Jones, and author Keith Boykin.
In his Op-ed, McWhorter cites President Obama's discussion of Seneca Falls, Selma and Stonewall and argues that "African Americans have a special responsibility to fight for equality for all oppressed peoples." The comparison of African American and LGBT civil rights is especially apt this Black History month with the Supreme Court set to rule on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) next month.
President Obama has remained a champion for LGBT issues and recently expressed his support for LGBT people participating openly in the Boy Scouts. Marc Lamont Hill is a 2013 GLAAD awards nominee. Keith Boykin is the author of the award winning book, For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Still Not Enough: Coming of Age, Coming Out, and Coming Home.