Georgia Rep. John Lewis Sees Gay Marriage As A Civil Rights Issue

[n2doc]

BY CARLOS SANTOSCOY

Georgia Rep. John Lewis on Sunday reiterated that he sees the movement to legalize gay marriage as a civil rights issue.

Appearing in a nearly 2-minute video for Freedom to Marry, the 74-year-old Lewis, the only living “big six” leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, compared the civil rights movement to today's fight for marriage equality.

“I fought too hard and too long against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up and speak up against discrimination against our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters,” Lewis says in the clip. “I see the right to marriage as a civil rights issue. You cannot have rights for one segment of the population, or one group of people, and not for everybody. Civil rights and equal rights must be for all of God's children.”

The ad is part of a $1 million multi-state campaign to build majority support for marriage equality in the South. The campaign, titled Southerners for the Freedom to Marry, includes co-chairs representing 13 southern states.

Lewis also said in the ad that he saw marriage equality as a step toward completing Martin Luther King Jr.'s “beloved community.”

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http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=17896&MediaType=1&Category=26

[TDale313]

1. A true hero and a genuinely good man.

It's so important to see this is very much the same fight.

[Arkansas Granny]

2. +1

[thucythucy]

3. Congressman Lewis is one of our greatest Americans ever.

A man of incredible courage, wisdom, and integrity. From the humblest of beginnings he has forged a life that will stand as an example for the ages.

Can't say enough in praise of this man.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Off to the greatest page....

Rep. Lewis is a wise and good man.