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Coretta Scott King to Talk
in San Francisco on LGBT Issues

Civil Rights Pioneer Clarifies Convergences of Discrimination

Metropolitan Community Foundation Holds Gala November 22

Compiled by GayToday

San Francisco, California--Civil rights legend Coretta Scott King is scheduled to deliver an historic address this fall at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco to benefit the Metropolitan Community Foundation.

This will be the first time in the history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender movement for civil rights that Mrs. King has made a major policy statement in San Francisco specifically on LGBT issues.

Coretta Scott King

It is expected that she will use this San Francisco appearance to address human and civil rights and the convergences between different forms of oppression and discrimination.

The event, titled, Circles of Hope 2002: A Tribute to Coretta Scott King, will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 22. The event will pay tribute to Mrs. King for decades of prophetic and compassionate work on behalf of the civil rights community.

Mrs. King, 75, has long been an advocate for LGBT civil and human rights. She's spoken out on many issues including the military's ban on gay, lesbian and bisexual soldiers, against anti-gay ballot measures, for federal legislation to outlaw job discrimination, and for compassion and dignity for people living with HIV and AIDS locally and globally.

"This event provides us with a tremendous opportunity to say thank you to Mrs. King for her important work," said Rev. Dr. G. Penny Nixon, president of the Metropolitan Community Foundation and senior pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco.

"This year especially, we will celebrate the quiet and persistent push for nonviolent social change -- a movement that Mrs. King has led for so many years. The roots of the American Civil Rights movement, under her tireless care and cultivation, have borne fruit around the world, across all faiths, colors and cultures. It's no exaggeration to say that the movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered civil rights is a proud descendant of that movement, nourished by Coretta Scott King's heart and hands."

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Related Sites:
MCC-San Francisco

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Established in 1997, The Metropolitan Community Foundation provides services to San Francisco's hungry, homeless and poor, serving 500 meals weekly; providing arts, music and reading programs for children of low-income families; shower facilities that restore dignity and comfort to more than 160 homeless men and women each week; HIV/AIDS programming; an emergency shelter for youths at risk; and tutoring and school supplies for students in need.

The organization's Circles of Hope event began three years ago to honor leaders advocating social justice. Past award recipients have included Rev. Jim Mitulski, Rev. Cecil Williams and Jan Mirikitani.

Sponsorships and ticket information:
Telephone 415-865-2748
Email: mccsf@aol.com