Just one year after receiving a posthumous pardon for gay sex crimes, Civil Rights icon Bayard Rustin is getting his own biopic, produced by former President Barack Obama and Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black.
The Hollywood Reporter reports that Obama’s production company Higher Ground–co-owned with former First Lady Michelle Obama–will produce Rustin for Netflix films. Openly gay, African-American director George C. Wolfe (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the original Broadway production of Angels in America) will direct the film from a script by Black.
No casting or release dates have been announced. [Note to Mr. Wolfe, please get Billy Porter on the phone.]
Related: WATCH: We debate the power of dialogue with ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ director George C. Wolfe
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Bayard Rustin played a crucial role in the American Civil Rights movement, both for people of color and LGBTQ folk. In 1963, Rustin spearheaded the African-American March on Washington led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rustin also advised on the Montgomery Bus Boycott, another crucial protest led by King. Historians and friends of Dr. King often cite Rustin as one of his closest, most influential advisors. Unfortunately, the two parted company in 1964 after King learned of Rustin’s homosexuality. King feared that having an unapologetic, gay man among his ranks would harm the over-all efficacy of the Civil Rights Movement.
Following his work with King, Rustin went on to have a long career in politics and activism, advocating for labor unions, decrying discrimination in the US and abroad, and in the 1980s, helping to maintain the gay rights movement amid the growing AIDS crisis. He died in 1987, leaving behind his life partner Walter Naegle and a legacy of Civil Rights work. In 2013, President Obama posthumously awarded Rustin the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which Naegle accepted on his behalf.
mikeTigg
How wonderful and timely. A true hero of the civil and gay liberation rights movement finally having his story told in a film by an Oscar winning writer, produced by one of the most respected ex US presidents in living memory and directed by an extraordinary gay theatre and film director. What an amazing combination.
barryaksarben
I think it was J EDGAR HOOVER threatening Martin Luther king with the info on Bayard that caused the break between the two men . This is long overdo. He is a true hero for both black and gay people
dhmonarch89
DLB wrote and ruined the Hoover story, too- god knows what he’ll do with this one! Can’t believe Obama would work with a Bryan Singer acolyte!
wiggie
Bayard’s gayness was an open secret. Everyone knew, including King
Cam
Definitely something to check out.
wiggie
they couldn’t find ONE gay black screenwriter to do this???
dhmonarch89
or at least one who hasn’t spent all his time since 30 chasing white teenagers.
spiralx
No need to be so woke.
geb1966
Or just maybe they chose a screenwriter who has proven he can tackle LGBT biographical/historical material (Milk, J Edgar, When We Rise) successfully.
flim
he’s been with the same guy/ his husband for like 8 years at this point so probably best to get a new reason why you are randomly mad at him
dhmonarch89
1- just because he’s married, doesn’t mean he doesn’t still chase teenagers- since the teenaged husband missed out them when he was a teen dating 40 year olds…he may play along- there are rumors…
2- successful at LGBT content- J Edgar bombed as sis When we rise- all critics canned both as well, laying 90% of the blame at DLB’s feet. Milk was a success but mostly seemed a verbatem retelling of the book, ‘The Mayor of Castro Street’, yet somehow won an Oscar for Original screenplay- not adapted (the original group that year was A LOT weaker than the adapted)
dhmonarch89
sorry- that’s ‘as did ‘when We Rise…’- typing too fast and when you edit- it gets moderated and never posted.
LumpyPillows
Always some nasty, jealous queens in the comments. This is a positive story. Recalibrate you attitude.
dhmonarch89
I love how you have to be jealous if you say something negative…how about that you just don’t like someone- especially someone with more rumors about him and teenaged boys than all the jealous queens alive! Someday proof of Singer and his circle will come out- do you really want people to know you defended them?
Kangol2
Rustin is such an important Black LGBTQ figure. I have nothing against Dustin Lance Black but I haven’t been a fan of his productions, so having him as the screenwriter seems like it could blow this up. George C. Wolfe will certainly have his hands full.
spiralx
I thoroughly enjoyed “Milk”, and “When We Rise”. Looking forward to this as well.
Thad
George C. Wolfe certainly knows greater Philadelphia. I expect to see lots of West Chester in this film! (And include Bayard Rustin High School in an epikog!)
The real Bruce
I’m really looking forward to seeing this. I hope it’s in the same caliber as “Milk” and “When We Rise”. Good luck guys!
joeboyle49
I CAN’T WAIT FOR THIDS MOVIE TO COME OUT WILL LOVE SEEING IT. I ALSO LOVED MILK I HAVEN’T SEEN WHEN WE RISE I WILL HAVE TO LOOK FOR IT.