In Memorium: David Morris - Leader, Member, Friend
David Morris, former NABWMT Board member and regular participant in our annual conventions, passed away on Monday, December 8, at the age of 75. He was a dear and trusted friend. He brought a unique perspective and profound wisdom to any discussion in which he participated. We have lost not only a friend and distinguished leader, but also an important source of knowledge about gay history.
David was also active in our affiliate, Men of All Colors Together/New York. A member of the MACT/NY Board of Directors from 1993 to 1997, David served as Co-Chair of the organization during the last year of that period.
Few of us at NABWMT or MACT/NY, however, knew of or fully appreciated David’s iconic status in the struggle for gay rights in New Jersey. He was a prominent member of the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County, founded in 1972, serving multiple terms as president, chairman of men's resources, discussion group facilitator, and helpline coordinator and volunteer. He was also founder of the New Jersey Anti-Violence Project, past president of the New Jersey Lesbian & Gay Coalition and chair of its legal committee.
David's gay activism began after his graduation from Rutgers University Law School with his participation as a young lawyer in the legal defense of Manny's Den, a bar in New Brunswick, NJ, against the New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which revoked its liquor license on the grounds that it "allowed the congregation of apparent homosexuals." The rules of the ABC prohibited serving "any known criminals, gangsters, racketeers, swindlers, prostitutes, female impersonators or other persons of ill repute." According to court records, "The department considered that the effeminate manifestations of the patrons brought them within the prohibition of 'female impersonators.'" Also included in the charges were accusations made against patrons "whose voices, gestures, and actions were effeminate." The New Jersey Supreme Court overturned the license revocation, holding that "the Division produced nothing to support any need for continuance of its flat prohibition" and stating that if overtly indecent conduct or other improper acts do not occur, it is not valid to bring charges that are legally unsupportable.
This was in 1967, two years before Stonewall. For a black gay man to support the cause of homosexual rights at that time was to put his career seriously in jeopardy.
Luckily,"the powers at Continental Can Company, where I was the first black person to be hired, had no idea what was going on in New Jersey."
For decades thereafter, David was in the forefront of the New Jersey gay community's interactions with State government. For example, he participated in negotiations with the NJ State Police to stop their sordid efforts to entrap gays at the rest stops on the Garden State Parkway. He was coordinator of, and major participant in, the NJLGC Personal Liberty Fund's program to provide sensitivity training for the State Police around the issue of discrimination against gays. He fought actively and successfully for the passage of legislation authorizing civil unions. In all of these struggles, David's gravitas lent enormous credibility to the cause of gay liberation.
In tribute to David, Toby Grace, Senior Editor of Out in New Jersey, wrote:
"David was a quiet man - modest and unassuming - and yet he had a will of iron to implement the dictates of a heart of gold. He was not afraid of any powers or establishments when he believed Right was on his side . . . . David changed the world and we are ALL the better for it . . . Those of us who were privileged to know David have lost someone we loved. The whole community has lost a pillar and source of strength - but we will keep him in our hearts forever."
For the last nine years David worked for Northeast New Jersey Legal Services, specializing in assisting clients in obtaining benefits which had been denied them - benefits such as food stamps, social security, disability, unemployment, and public assistance. David is survived by his sister, Barbara.
Posted: modified by:Del Korte Modify date:2009-03-21 20:18:30