WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Al Sharpton says he grew up in a family with a gay member

Al Sharpton says he grew up in a family with a gay member

(Atlanta-AP) January 20, 2006 - The Reverend Al Sharpton spoke Friday to a national black gay rights coalition meeting in Atlanta that believes engaging with pastors and clergy can help homosexuality become more acceptable by society.

The activist-minister from New York opened his remarks to the group of about 150 by saying he grew up in a family that had a gay member. He did not identify that member, but he says he saw firsthand the bigotry that gay people confront.

Sharpton, a Democrat, accused the Bush campaign of failing to address issues such as education, health care and jobs when the president faced re-election. He accused Republicans instead of addressing negative issues in the black community.

The summit continues through Saturday at the First Iconium Baptist Church.

The National Black Justice Coalition is composed of black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists.

Posted 12:29pm by Bryce Mursch