Netflix's "Rustin" Highlights Life and Legacy of Bayard Rustin, Gay Civil Rights Activist

Focusing on Bayard Rustin's uncredited work behind the scenes of the civil rights movement, the film showcases the double discrimination faced by Rustin as an openly gay man in the 1960s, offering a rare spotlight on intersectionality within civil rights activism.

Netflix's new film 'Rustin' sheds light on the life of Bayard Rustin, a key figure behind the scenes of the civil rights movement who remained largely unrecognized due to his identity as a gay Black man in the 1960s.
The film aims to bring attention to the double discrimination faced by individuals like Rustin, highlighting intersectionality within civil rights activism.
Rustin, born in 1912, was an activist for economic justice, equal rights, and peace. He was a go-to organizer for demonstrations and a champion for 'creative trouble'. His most significant achievement was the organization of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Despite his contributions, Rustin was initially cut out from Martin Luther King Jr.'s inner circle due to his open homosexuality, which posed problems in a homophobic society of the time. Later, the two reconciled, with Rustin continuing to play a critical role in the civil rights movement.
The film, produced by the Obamas' Higher Ground media company, is set to stream on Netflix from November 17. It is being released at a time when discussions about teaching Black history and LGBTQ+ rights are heated across the U.S.