Kiyoshi Kuromiya

Error creating thumbnail:

Heart Mountain

Kiyoshi Kuromiya (May 9, 1943 – May 10, 2000) was a prominent Japanese-American civil rights activist, author, and founder of several important social justice organizations. He was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, the LGBT rights movement, and the AIDS activism community.

Early Life

Kiyoshi Kuromiya was born in a Japanese internment camp at Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming during World War II. His family was among the thousands of Japanese Americans forcibly relocated and interned by the U.S. government following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Civil Rights Activism

Kuromiya became involved in the Civil Rights Movement while attending the University of Pennsylvania. He participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches and worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. He was also a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

LGBT Rights Movement

As an openly gay man, Kuromiya was a significant figure in the early LGBT rights movement. He was a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front and worked to advance the rights and visibility of the LGBT community.

AIDS Activism

Kuromiya was diagnosed with AIDS in the 1980s and became a leading activist in the fight against the disease. He founded the Critical Path Project, which provided crucial information and resources to people living with AIDS. He was also a member of ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), a direct action advocacy group working to improve the lives of people with AIDS.

Publications and Legacy

Kuromiya co-authored the book We Have Not Been Moved: Resisting Racism and Militarism in 21st Century America and contributed to numerous other publications. His work has had a lasting impact on civil rights, LGBT rights, and AIDS activism.

Death

Kiyoshi Kuromiya passed away on May 10, 2000, due to complications from AIDS. His legacy continues to inspire activists and advocates across various social justice movements.

See Also

• Civil Rights Movement
• LGBT rights in the United States
• AIDS activism
• ACT UP
• Gay Liberation Front
• Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee