As the passing calendar days bring us into February and Black History Month, we also mourn the passing of one of history’s greatest civil rights leaders, Coretta Scott King, widow of Martin Luther King, Jr., father of the American civil rights movement. King died Tuesday at Hospital Santa Monica, a holistic health center in Rosarito Beach, Mexico.

A vocal supporter of GLBT equality, Coretta Scott King said in March of 1998: “I still hear people say that I should stick to the issue of racial justice. … But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King, Jr. said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream to make room at the table of brother- and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people.”

This belief is not shared by all, however, and even members of the King family hold different opinions when it comes to Dr. King’s alleged opinion on gay rights.

Most notably, the Rev. Bernice King, Dr. King’s daughter, has publicly denounced same-sex marriage, saying, “I know deep down in my sanctified soul that he [Martin Luther King, Jr.] did not take a bullet for same-sex unions.”

This schism over same-sex marriage can be seen throughout the country, especially among African-American’s who struggle to reconcile the teachings of civil rights leaders, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, and the traditional anti-gay teachings of the church.

To say that the civil rights movement parallels the gay rights movement is false. There is but one movement, and whether you are a woman, Latino/a, African-American, gay or any other minority fighting for equality, we are all in this fight together. To deny this truth directly contradicts Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message – his dream.

How can we not see our movements as one? Take marriage equality, for example. It took generations of people chipping away at hate and discrimination before the Supreme Court recognized interracial marriage with Loving v. Virginia in 1967, and it remains taboo in some parts of the country even today. The same arguments against interracial marriage are being used today against same-sex marriage – as is the same hate.

Look at military service. Gays and lesbians are not segregated, as were African-Americans, yet the same discrimination applies. Where black solders could not serve next to white solders, gays and lesbians cannot serve openly next to their straight counterparts. It was not until President Harry Truman’s landmark executive order on July 26, 1948, that blacks were fully integrated into the U.S. armed forces.

In retrospect, we look back on each case, interracial marriage and segregation, and marvel at our nation’s blatant racism and ignorance. How many years of hindsight will this country need before it recognizes that it has applied this same ignorance to the GLBT community?

Movements are carried by strong leaders; people who stand up and openly defy history and tradition in the name of freedom and justice. We need more leaders like Coretta Scott King today.

Gov. Schwarzenegger’s veto of the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act represents a missed opportunity for a leader to change our nation’s history in the spirit in which it was founded. Closer to home, Congressmember Susan Davis has yet to join in support of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, HR 1059, which seeks to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and allow gay, bisexual and lesbian service members to serve openly in the military. Does Davis deserve more rights than friends and colleagues like state Senator Christine Kehoe, Councilmember Toni Atkins, or even her own district director Todd Gloria – or is she simply playing politics in a conservative military town? Davis needs to get behind this bill, or that will be the message she is sending. We too must send a message: If you support discrimination, we will not support you. If you do not believe we are equals, how can you expect us to believe in you? We’re waiting for your position, Susan. We know you will do the right thing.