18 Facts About Morris Kight

Morris Kight was an American gay rights pioneer and peace activist.

Morris Kight is considered one of the original founders of the gay and lesbian civil rights movement in the United States.

Morris Kight graduated from Texas Christian University in 1941 with a degree in personnel administration and public administration.

From 1941 until 1958, Morris Kight lived in northern New Mexico, where he and many other gay people were active in Adlai Stevenson's campaign in the 1952 presidential election.

Morris Kight only shared that information with his closest friends, apparently believing that would diminish his credibility as a spokesman for gay rights.

Morris Kight was active in many political, civil rights, and labor rights groups.

In 1977, Morris Kight began what became a national Coors boycott to expose how the Coors Brewing Company used its millions to finance union busting legislation and anti-gay politicians.

Morris Kight infuriated organizers of Outfest the year the festival accepted Coors funding.

Morris Kight organized a demonstration in front of the event, using the opportunity to educate the community about the ways anti-gay corporations try to clean up their public image by funding cash-starved gay organizations and events.

In 1958, Morris Kight moved to Los Angeles, where he was the founder or co-founder of many gay and lesbian organizations.

Morris Kight remarked that creating the Community Center was the achievement of which he was most proud.

Morris Kight brought his experiences in political action into the realm of gay rights.

Morris Kight was one of the leaders of the 1987 Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

Morris Kight was one of the organizers of the 1988 March on Sacramento for Lesbian and Gay Rights, at which Leonard Matlovich gave his last public speech.

Morris Kight served on the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission for two decades.

Toward the end of his life, Morris Kight had several strokes that slowed him down.

Morris Kight died peacefully at the Carl Bean Hospice in Los Angeles, on January 19,2003.

Morris Kight used to visit this park weekly to tidy up the area, water and plant new flowers.