Rev Jesse Jackson remembered as a pioneering ally in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights

Rev Jesse Jackson, the celebrated civil‑rights leader, long-time activist and two‑time Democratic presidential candidate, is being remembered not only for his transformative impact on racial justice but also for his enduring advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Jackson, who died on Tuesday at the age of 84, consistently championed equality across communities and used his national platform to call for justice for LGBTQ+ people alongside other marginalised groups.

Jackson’s belief in a broad, united civil‑rights movement underpinned his politics. His family, in a statement following his death, described the values that drove him throughout his life: “His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honour his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.” 

Jackson’s activism frequently extended into LGBTQ+ advocacy, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s as national debates around queer rights intensified. He became a visible ally at major protests, including the historic 1993 Gay Rights March in Washington, D.C., an event that drew more than 500,000 LGBTQ+ activists, families and allies. His participation symbolised a powerful alliance between the civil‑rights and LGBTQ+ movements at a time when few national figures of his stature stood publicly with queer communities.

Speaking at the rally alongside figures like RuPaul, Martina Navratilova and Eartha Kitt, Jackson emphasised, "We share the desire for life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, equal protection under the law".

His longtime commitment was also evident in the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, where he pushed for inclusive policies and spoke regularly about the need for solidarity among oppressed groups. In reflecting on his message of unity, Jackson frequently returned to the idea that rights struggles are fundamentally interconnected. As he famously declared in his call‑and‑response rallies across decades: “I am… somebody! … I must be respected. I must be protected.” Although originally a rallying cry for Black empowerment, it became emblematic of his universal approach to human rights. 

Jackson’s inclusive vision resonated deeply with progressive political leaders. At a 2024 event honouring him, Senator Bernie Sanders praised the multiracial, multi‑ethnic coalition Jackson worked to build, saying: “No one else in the Democratic Party was talking about a multiracial, multi-ethnic democracy… This movement wasn't just about bringing us together, but about bringing us together around a progressive agenda.” 

Tributes following his death have echoed this sentiment, highlighting his empathy for “the oppressed, the voiceless and the overlooked around the world” - words shared by his family in their statement. 

Jackson’s long record of standing with LGBTQ+ communities, from voting‑rights advocacy to public support for anti‑discrimination protections, helped expand the civil‑rights framework to include sexual orientation and gender identity. His role in national queer-rights demonstrations, combined with his political influence and moral clarity, ensured that LGBTQ+ equality was recognised as part of the broader American struggle for justice.