Denise King, Activist for Hate Crimes dies

I have often said it is those of us that can fight on behalf of our loved ones that can effect change due to our unique position.  I am always moved by the mothers (parents) that stand by their LBGTQI children as that is not always the case.  Denise King had great compassion for others even in the worst moments of her life.  May she continue to touch others in death as in life.

Denise King, Mother of Hate Crime Victim, Dies

Denise King, a gay rights advocate in South Florida, died of a heart attack on New Year’s Eve. King’s son, Simmie Williams who was gay, was gunned down in February 2008. Since his unresolved murder, King made educating others about the violence LGBT people face a priority:

The Sun-Sentinel wrote:

Since her son’s death, Mrs. King 'brought the conversation of love, acceptance and compassion into a community where black [gays and lesbians] are invisible,' said Michael Emanuel Rajner, a co-founder of Transgender Equality Rights Initiatives, who became a family friend after the murder.

'The night of her son’s viewing, she left early because she had gotten a call from someone that evening that there was a youth, about 16, thrown out of his home because he was openly gay,' Rajner said.

'Denise, not even knowing the child’s name, hit the streets with her car up and down Sistrunk looking for this child. She would take them in. Her home became this safe haven for people to run. In her pain she was moved to make certain no child was turned away.'

Mrs. King’s aunt said she was committed to justice.

'Everything she did, she did it from her heart as a mother,' said Rose Barnes, of Fort Lauderdale.

Thanks to glaadblog.org for this article.