BREAKING BARRIERS IN HISTORY- Background

Bayard Rustin was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania on March 17, 1912 and died of a ruptured appendix, in New York, New York on August 24, 1987, at the age of 75. 

He was raised in a close-knit household by his maternal grandparents. He was voted class valedictorian his senior year of high school. In high school its when he started fighting back. On a field trip Bayard insisted that black players be put in the same hotel as white players. 

He later went to college and attended The City College of New York, Cheyney State Teachers College, and Wilberforce University, and he joined the Young Communist League in college because he was interested on racial issues. 

Bayard Rustin fell in love with a man named Walter Naegle.  Bayard was much older then Walter.  The only way for them to be married in a way was for Bayard to adopt Walter.  It took time but they got to be together and they loved each other.  Walter is still alive today he is currently 71 years old and was born in Morristown, New Jersey, Walter was raised in Succasunna, New Jersey, in a Roman Catholic home with six siblings.  He currently lives in New York, New York.  Walter Naegle is the surviving partner of the late American Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin, and the executive director of the Bayard Rustin Fund, which commemorates Rustin's life, values, and legacy.