Obituary
Activist, organizer, author Amber Hollibaugh dies at 77
Calif. native passed away in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Oct. 20

Amber Hollibaugh, an activist, organizer, author of āMy Dangerous Desires: A Queer Girl Dreaming Her Way Homeā and a self-educated leading public intellectual in the LGBTQ, feminist, sexual liberation and economic justice movements, died suddenly of complications of diabetes in her home in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Oct. 20. She was 77.
Hollibaugh is she is survived by her life partner, award-winning novelist Jenifer Levin, and stepsons Mak Levin and Van De Laurier.
Hollibaugh was born in Bakersfield, Calif., on June 20, 1946. She lived in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Mississippi, Chicago and Canada before she moved to New York in 1981.
“Amber loved life with an embodied passion. She brought that passion to seek justice in the world for us in a way that was unwilling to leave any of our complicated selves behind. Amber’s work for lesbians living with HIV, poor and working-class queer folks and older LGBTQ+ members of our community was groundbreaking and sometimes left Amber not appreciated in the very movements that she was trying to move towards more liberation,” said Beth Zemsky, a former co-chair of the National LGBTQ+ Task Force and the former director of the University of Minnesota’s LGBT Programs Office. “Amber was a fierce friend, somebody you could count on to see you fully and show up for you. Iām grateful to have been able to look into her dazzling blue eyes and see the best of who we could be.”
Barbara Satin, a Task Force faith consultant, also mourned Hollibaugh.
“My early activism had focused on trans inclusion plus the affirmation of queer folks within faith settings ā then I met Amber who introduced me to the beautiful, old LGBT community ā my peer group. These pioneers, on whose shoulders we have built a burgeoning progressive movement, had hopes, expectations, fears and concerns around aging that were seriously overlooked by the broader community,” said Stein. “Through her work on LGBTQ aging at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, including the publication of ‘Outing Age,’ the seminal work on the issue, Amber spotlighted the needs and expectations that our elders had and offered practical and appropriate responses to their difficult situations. Amber added an important element to my activism and the applause I have received over the years for my work on aging are directly connected to her influence on my life. As I approach my 90th birthday, Amber Hollibaugh still is my role model for doing activism with grace and style.
Another remembrance notes Hollibaugh’s legacy “is an integral part of the history of the modern LGBTQ+ and feminist movements.”
“Her contributions were always visionary, as she worked at the intersections of sexual and economic inequality, LGBTQ and womenās health disparities,” it reads. “Her legacy and long-term impact in progressive movements is inestimable, and her loss will be widely and deeply mourned throughout queer communities and beyond.”
2012 interview with Laura Flanders:
Hollibaugh speaks at CLAGS in NYC in 2018:
Obituary
Longtime D.C. librarian, LGBTQ rights advocate Turner Freeman dies at 64
āVoracious readerā pushed for inclusive programming at DCPL

Sheldon āTurnerā Freeman, a gay librarian who worked for 39 years at the D.C. Public Library system and is credited with initiating a Black History Month film series and LGBTQ inclusive programming at the library system, died Dec. 23, at his home in Steelton, Pa. He was 64.
The D.C.-based LGBTQ advocacy and event planning group Team Rayceen Productions, which has held events at D.C.ās main Martin Luther King Library branch with support from Freeman, said the cause of death was a heart attack.
A write-up prepared by Freemanās family members and published by Major H. Windfield Funeral Home in Steelton, says Freemanās passing came just over a year after he retired from his position as librarian in November 2023 and moved back to his hometown of Steelton.
āTurner was known as a brilliant, proud Black man, who loved life and lived it to the fullest,ā the write-up says. āHe was a voracious reader and a music aficionado,ā the write-up continues, adding that his other passions included dancing, Black history, collecting Black art, books, music and movies, āand watching his Eagles, Lakers and the Ohio State Buckeyes.ā
It says he was a 1978 graduate of Steelton-Highspire High School and earned his bachelorās degree in communications from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. He earned his masterās degree in Library Science from the University of the District of Columbia, according to the write-up.
A statement from the D.C. Public Library system to Team Rayceen Productions says Turnerās title at the time of his retirement was Adult Services Librarian.
āAs an avid film buff, Turner was one of the first staff members of DCPLās audiovisual department in the 1980s, now a city-wide collection of DVDs and other media as well as a plethora of online streaming resources,ā the statement says.
āHis weekly movie screenings have been running for more than two decades and are a beloved staple of MLK Library programming that has carried on past his retirement,ā according to the statement. āHis Black History Month film series is a particularly beloved annual event.ā
The statement adds that Freemanās voice was frequently heard on the MLK Libraryās public address system and he āliterally became āthe voiceā of MLK Libraryās 50th anniversary celebration, recording audio narration for library programming and citywide promotions.ā
The Team Rayceen Productions statement says Freeman was a co-founder of a group called Book Reading Uplifts His Spirit, known as BRUHS, which focused on issues of interest to Black gay and bisexual men. Some of the groupās events, which were held at the MLK Library, included talks by authors, film screenings, and reading of plays.
The statement notes that in 2021, Freeman moderated an online Facebook discussion with James Earl Hardy, the author of the B-Boy Blues book series, a collection of six novels that tell the stories of Black gay men. It also points out that Freeman was on the committee that organized D.C.ās first Black Pride celebration.
A statement sent by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to the Freeman family expresses her condolences over his passing and points to his numerous accomplishments as a librarian and community advocate.
āHe was a caring friend and colleague whose impactful legacy, vibrancy, and kindness leaves behind an indelible mark on the hearts of many,ā the mayor says in her message. āTurner was a role model, mentor, sports fan, and unwavering confidant, but above all there was no role more precious to him than that of a family man,ā Bowser wrote.
āTurnerās love for his family was unparalleled, and his presence brought immense joy to his loved ones and to all those who knew him.ā
A celebration of life for Freeman was held Jan. 4, at the Chapel of the Major H. Winfield Funeral Home in Steelton, Pa.
The funeral home write-up says Freeman was predeceased by his parents, Bucky and Cookie Freeman, and is survived by his son, Freeman Dane Swan; his sisters Stephanie Freeman, Stacey Freeman-McKamey, and Sage Freeman; and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.
Obituary
Honoring the life and legacy of Coya White Hat-Artichoker
Life-long advocate for Indigenous, two-spirit rights died on Dec. 4

Born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, Coya was a proud enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate or Rosebud Sioux Tribe. From the age of 15, she dedicated her life to advocating for Indigenous and Two Spirit rights, becoming a fierce organizer and a visionary leader in movements for justice. As a founding member of the First Nations Two Spirit Collective, Coya worked tirelessly to uplift Two Spirit youth, support Indigenous reproductive justice, and connect these communities to philanthropic spaces to drive transformative change.Ā Ā
Coyaās advocacy for Indigenous reproductive justice was rooted in a deep understanding of its inseparability from the fight for Indigenous sovereignty. She saw this work as part of a 500-year history of resistance to colonization, weaving together the rights to access abortion, raise children in safe and sustainable environments, steward healthy lands and waters, practice Indigenous cultures, speak ancestral languages, and govern sovereign communities. Recently she served as a board member for SisterSong and the American LGBTQ+ Museum. Coya was a fierce leader who brought dedication and brilliance, impacting gender and reproductive justice efforts around the world.
In 2020, Coyaās visionary leadership brought the worldās first fund dedicated to Indigenous reproductive justice, Building the Fire Fund, into existence. Guided by an Indigenous Advisory Council of women and Two Spirit leaders from across Turtle Island, the fund represents a powerful testament to Coyaās dedication and collaborative spirit. Coya co-authored “Tired of Dancing to Their Song: An Assessment of the Indigenous Womenās Reproductive Justice Funding Landscapeā with Zachary Packineau. This seminal report provides a critical roadmap for philanthropy to support and grow the emerging field of Indigenous reproductive justice.
In 2023, Coya brought Building the Fire Fund to Solidaire Network, where we are honored to walk alongside the Advisory Council in advancing this vital work. Coyaās passion, wisdom, and dedication will continue to guide and inspire all of us who were privileged to know her and work beside her.
To honor Coyaās legacy and her vision for the Indigenous reproductive justice movement, we invite you to contribute to the Building the Fire Fund. Your support ensures that her transformative work will continue, lighting the way for generations to come.
Coya White Hat-Artichokerās life was a powerful testament to resilience, love, and unwavering commitment to justice. While her presence will be deeply missed, her legacy will endure as a beacon of hope and strength for all who carry her vision forward.
Obituary
Washington lawyer Carolee Byrley dies at age 60
An active member of the local Gay Recovery Community

Carolee Byrley passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 30, 2024, in her home in Washington, D.C.Ā She was 60.
She died from complications of Type One diabetes.
She was born on Sept. 2, 1964, in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., to Paul L. Byrley and Judith I. Byrley.Ā
She graduated in 1982 from Winter Park High School in Winter Park, Fla., and from college at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla. She later earned a law degree from Georgetown University Law School in Washington, D.C.
Byrley practiced law in Washington specializing in contracts and mergers.Ā
Byrley was predeceased by her father as well as by Eileen Garner, her loving life partner of 38 years. She is survived by her mother, Judith Ireland, stepfather, Jerrold Nussbaum, brother, John Byrley, sister-in-law, Lena Byrley, brother, Jason Byrley, brother-in-law, Ben Byrley, and nephews, Jack and Alex Byrley.
Byrley was an active member of the Gay Recovery Community in Washington where she sponsored many people over the years. She recently received recognition for 40 years of sobriety and was living proof of the slogan, āKeep what you have by giving it away.ā Her generosity and authenticity shown through in all she did. There was not a bone in her body that was fake. And, as one of her friends described her, she was āthe kindest person I have ever met.āĀ
Byrley was deeply committed to her dogs through the years and to the care and protection of rescue dogs everywhere.Ā
A celebration of Byrley’s life will be held on Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. at Friends of Washington, 2111 Decatur Place, Washington, D.C., where friends encourage those who knew her to share memories of her life. There will be a reception at Friends following the memorial.Ā
In lieu of flowers, please give a donation to your local dog rescue organization, in her name.Ā
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