Freedom Fighter Fridays: Huey P. Newton on Gay Rights

Huey P. Newton was an influential figure in the civil rights movement and one of the co-founders of the Black Panther Party. He was born on February 17, 1942, in Monroe, Louisiana, and grew up in Oakland, California. A little known fact about Huey P. Newton was that he was a supporter of The Gay Rights Movement that was happening during his time. The best evidence for this is his speech on ​“A Black Panther’s View: Huey P. Newton on Gay, Women’s Liberation” given Aug. 15, 1970.

It’s important to note I am not endorsing any use of language nor every idea besides those I will discuss but I think it’s important to know that the founder of one of the largest international movements for marginalized people understood the importance of gay rights.

Read the speech in quotations below.

“During the past few years strong movements have developed among women and among homosexuals seeking their liberation. There has been some uncertainty about how to relate to these movements. Whatever your personal opinions and your insecurities about homosexuality and the various liberation movements among homosexuals and women (and I speak of the homosexuals and women as oppressed groups), we should try to unite with them in a revolutionary fashion.

I say ‘whatever your insecurities are’ because as we very well know, sometimes our first instinct is to want to hit a homosexual in the mouth and want a woman to be quiet. We want to hit a homosexual in the mouth because we are afraid that we might be homosexual; and we want to hit the woman or shut her up because we are afraid that she might castrate us or take the nuts that we might not have to start with.

We must gain security in ourselves and therefore have respect and feelings for all oppressed people. We must not use the racist attitude that the White racists use against our people because they are Black and poor. Many times the poorest White person is the most racist because he is afraid that he might lose something, or discover something that he does not have. So you’re some kind of a threat to him.

This kind of psychology is in operation when we view oppressed people and we are angry with them because of their particular kind of behavior, or their particular kind of deviation from the established norm.

Remember, we have not established a revolutionary value system; we are only in the process of establishing it. I do not remember our ever constituting any value that said that a revolutionary must say offensive things towards homosexuals, or that a revolutionary should make sure that women do not speak out about their own particular kind of oppression. As a matter of fact, it is just the opposite: we say that we recognize the women’s right to be free. We have not said much about the homosexual at all, but we must relate to the homosexual movement because it is a real thing. And I know through reading, and through my life experience and observations that homosexuals are not given freedom and liberty by anyone in the society. They might be the most oppressed people in the society.”

-Huey P. Netwon

Huey P. Newton's speech acknowledges the emergence of strong movements among women and queer folks seeking liberation. He highlights the uncertainty surrounding how to engage with these movements felt in the black community but emphasizes the importance of uniting with them in a revolutionary manner.

Newton recognizes that individuals may have personal opinions and insecurities regarding queerness and the liberation movements of women and LGBTQ+ folks. He acknowledges that some people's initial reaction may be to respond with violence or silence out of fear or insecurity. He therefore urges the audience to overcome these insecurities and develop respect and empathy for all oppressed people.

Newton then draws attention to the racist attitude that White racists often exhibit towards Black and poor individuals and warns people against adopting a similar mindset towards other oppressed groups. Newton explains that the fear of losing something or discovering something one does not have can fuel racist and discriminatory behavior.

Newton emphasizes the need to establish a revolutionary value system different from the current value system; and, in his view a revolutionary value system is one that respects and grants liberation to all individuals, including queer folks and women. He rejects offensive language or behavior towards queer people and asserts the importance of recognizing women's rights to speak out against their own oppression. Newton also acknowledges the lack of freedom and liberty given to queer people by society, suggesting that they may be among the most oppressed groups in this society.

Overall, Newton's speech encourages solidarity, respect, and recognition of the struggles faced by women and folks in the queer community, urging the audience to support both of their liberation movements. As we remember past movements while we seek to build our own, it is important to acknowledge the ways we must seek to liberate ourselves from any mindset that would cause us to oppress another.