I think that photo is from the inauguration. I watched the whole thing – first and last time I’ve ever done that. That moment in particular…well, you know.
One thing I learned about him today was that in the 1990s, he was one of a relatively small number of Congresspeople who opposed the Defense of Marriage Act. (Basically all Republicans voted for, and I think a little over half of the Democrats. Bernie Sanders, to his credit, was another no vote.) Lewis was also one of the few members of the Black Congressional Caucus to oppose it. And even most of the Democrats who voted no did so on some wishy-washy, “well I don’t approve of gay marriage but we don’t need this legislation” grounds — Lewis gave a powerful speech specifically saying that gay marriage should be legal, and linking it to the civil rights movement he was such an important part of.
This was the news with which my husband greeted me when I woke up this morning. Needless to say, it is a bad way to start the day.
He will be missed.
Wow, right on the heels of CT Vivian. A great loss.
One thing I learned about him today was that in the 1990s, he was one of a relatively small number of Congresspeople who opposed the Defense of Marriage Act. (Basically all Republicans voted for, and I think a little over half of the Democrats. Bernie Sanders, to his credit, was another no vote.) Lewis was also one of the few members of the Black Congressional Caucus to oppose it. And even most of the Democrats who voted no did so on some wishy-washy, “well I don’t approve of gay marriage but we don’t need this legislation” grounds — Lewis gave a powerful speech specifically saying that gay marriage should be legal, and linking it to the civil rights movement he was such an important part of.
That’s leadership.
Huh. I didn’t know that either.
What a towering figure. What an inspiration. We are lucky to have lived when he did.