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A Great Champion for LGBT Rights

By Melanie Nathan, August 17, 2015.

It is with deep sadness that I note the passing of one of my heroes, Civil Rights leader, Julian Bond. I had the great pleasure of meeting him in 2009 in D.C., at the UAFA hearing. Among all the great things he did, he  stood up also for #‎LGBTI‬ Bi-national couples when he testified for us – together with Congresswoman Jackie Speier and  Shirley TAN Mercado – at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for ‪#‎UAFA‬.  I will never forget how moved I was when, at quite a contentious time, while few members of the African American leadership were speaking openly for LGBT rights, and before President Obama had “evolved” on the issue,  Mr. Bond stated emphatically at that hearing that LGBT rights must be considered CIVIL RIGHTS too!

Deep condolences to his wife, family, friends and all who mourn his great loss. May he rest in his peace and may his memory be a blessing.

The UAFA Video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70wZwx247MQ

Mr. Bond’s, death was announced in a statement by the Southern Poverty Law Center.  

He was 75.

Julian Bond was born in Nashville, Tennesse. He was considered a symbol and icon of the 1960s civil rights movement. As a Morehouse College student, Bond helped found the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and as its communications director, he was on the front lines of protests that led to the nation’s landmark civil rights laws.

Bond later served as board chairman of the 500,000-member NAACP for 10 years but declined to run again for another one-year term in 2010.

The SPLC said Bond was a “visionary” and “tireless champion” for civil and human rights.

“With Julian’s passing, the country has lost one of its most passionate and eloquent voices for the cause of justice,” SPLC co-founder Morris Dees said in a statement. “He advocated not just for African Americans, but for every group, indeed every person subject to oppression and discrimination, because he recognized the common humanity in us all.”

Bond also served in the Georgia state legislature and was a professor at American University and the University of Virginia.

“Very few throughout human history have embodied the ideals of honor, dignity, courage and friendship like Dr. Julian Bond,” said Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “Quite simply, this nation and this world are far better because of his life and commitment to justice and equality for all people. Future generations will look back on the life and legacy of Julian Bond and see a warrior of good who helped conquer hate in the name of love. I will greatly miss my friend and my hero, Dr. Julian Bond.”

Bond is survived by his wife, Pamela Horowitz, a former SPLC staff attorney; his five children, Phyllis Jane Bond-McMillan, Horace Mann Bond II, Michael Julian Bond, Jeffrey Alvin Bond, and Julia Louise Bond; his brother, James Bond; and his sister, Jane Bond Moore.

I am also reminded that even when our own LGBT organizations such as Human Rights Campaign had failed to fight onerous religious exemptions in ENDA, Julian Bond  stood up for us, noting  the following: