Scott King gay rumors were making headlines just recently before his passing on January 22, 2024. Why did fans think he was not straight?

Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., passed away on January 22, 2024, at his home in Malibu, California, after a long battle with prostate cancer.

King was a civil and animal rights activist, an attorney, and the author of a memoir titled Growing Up King: An Intimate Memoir.

He was also the chairman of the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, an organization founded by his mother Coretta Scott King to preserve and promote the legacy of his father. 

But apart from his public achievements and roles, Dexter King was also a subject of curiosity and speculation among some fans and media outlets regarding his sexual orientation.

Why did some people think that he was gay? And who was he dating before he married Leah Weber? Here are some facts and rumors about Dexter King’s gender and sexuality.

Scott King Gay Rumors: Why Fans Think He Was Not Straight?

One of the reasons why some fans suspected that Dexter King was gay was because of his appearance and mannerisms.

Some people thought that he had a feminine voice, a soft smile, and a gentle demeanor that contrasted with the stereotypical image of a masculine black man.

Another reason was because of his lack of romantic relationships with women until he met Leah Weber.

Dexter King was never married or engaged before he tied the knot with Weber at the age of 52. He also did not have any children of his own, unlike his siblings Martin Luther King III and Bernice King.

Some fans wondered if he was hiding his true sexuality or if he had any secret lovers. A third reason was because of his involvement in the LGBTQ+ community and causes.

King was an outspoken advocate for gay rights and marriage equality, following the footsteps of his mother, who supported the same issues.

He also participated in several events and campaigns that celebrated diversity and inclusion, such as the Atlanta Pride Parade and the Human Rights Campaign.

He said that he believed that his father would have supported gay rights as well, based on his philosophy of nonviolence and love. 

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However, despite these rumors and speculations, Dexter King never publicly confirmed or denied his sexual orientation.

He said that he did not want to label himself or others based on their sexuality but focused on their character and humanity.

He also said that he respected everyone’s right to privacy and personal choice and that he hoped that people would do the same for him.

Scott King Partner: Who Was He Dating?

Before he married Leah Weber in 2013, Dexter King had a few romantic relationships with women that were reported by the media.

One of them was actress Jasmine Guy, whom he dated in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Guy was best known for her role as Whitley Gilbert in the sitcom A Different World.

She also played Coretta Scott King in the 2001 TV movie Boycott, which was produced by Dexter King. The couple broke up in 1992 due to their busy schedules and different lifestyles.

Another woman that Dexter King dated was singer Des’ree, whom he met in 1997 when she performed at a tribute concert for his father in London.

Des’ree was a British pop star who had hits like You Gotta Be and Kissing You. The couple had a long-distance relationship for a while, but they eventually split up in 1999 due to their conflicting careers and interests. 

The last woman that Dexter King dated before he married Leah Weber was actress Daphne Maxwell Reid, whom he met in 2009 at an event honoring his mother in Washington D.C.

Reid was best known for her role as Vivian Banks in the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She was also married to actor Tim Reid from 1982 until their divorce in 2023.

Dexter and Reid had a brief affair that ended in 2010 after Reid decided to reconcile with her husband. 

King married Leah Weber in 2013 in a private ceremony at the home of his sister Bernice King in Atlanta.

Weber was a former broadcast journalist who worked for CNN and NBC before becoming an entrepreneur and philanthropist.

She founded a company called WEBerize.com that provided web design and social media services for nonprofits and small businesses.

She also supported several causes related to education, health, and women’s empowerment. 

Dexter King and Leah Weber had a happy and loving marriage until his death in 2024. They lived in Malibu, California, where they enjoyed the beach, the sun, and their dogs.

They did not have any children together, but they considered themselves as parents to their nieces and nephews.