Noted lesbian activist Jean O'Leary dies at 57

[Kadie]

Posted on Sun, Jun. 05, 2005


Noted lesbian activist Jean O'Leary dies at 57

Associated Press


SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. - Jean O'Leary, a nun turned lesbian activist who organized the first White House meeting of homosexual leaders and helped create National Coming Out Day, has died. She was 57.

O'Leary died Saturday of complications of lung cancer at the home of her partner of 12 years, Lisa Phelps, longtime friend Sean Strub said Sunday. O'Leary was diagnosed with the cancer in September 2003.

"Jean was really the one out there plowing new territory," said Strub, who had known O'Leary for 20 years. "At a time when a lot of the gay activist community couldn't be ambitious enough to think about having a meeting at the White House, Jean was out there pulling the strings to make it happen."

For three decades, O'Leary was active in feminist, lesbian and Democratic circles, working for laws prohibiting discrimination against homosexuals and those with AIDS.

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http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/11823597.htm

[mike_c]

1. damn, 57. RIP Jean O'Leary....

:cry:

[babylonsister]

2. Cancer sucks. I hope she is at peace.

I also wish I had known her or met her. :hug:

[Adelante]

3. RIP

I remember her from New York in the 70s. Such a loss.

[Kadie]

4. .