Equality California on the Passing of David Mixner

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoang mourning the passing of longtime LGBTQ+ leader David Mixner:

"David Mixner was a tireless fighter for our community and dedicated his life to advancing full, lived equality for all LGBTQ+ people. His many decades of advocacy have changed the lives of countless LGBTQ+ people in California and across the world for the better. Among his many accomplishments, David worked alongside Harvey Milk to stop California from banning LGBTQ+ schoolteachers in the 1970s, advocated for more aggressive treatment options during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, helped lead the fight against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the 1990s, and was central to our achieving marriage equality in the 2000s.

David was also a fighter for LGBTQ+ people and allies at the ballot box. As a co-founder of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, his legacy includes the historic number of out LGBTQ+ people currently serving in appointed and elected across the world. He pushed those running for office at the highest levels to be inclusive of LGBTQ+ people and policies - joining Bill Clinton's 1992 Presidential campaign's National Executive Committee - a first for an openly gay person.

The impact that David had on our community is immeasurable, and we all owe him a debt of gratitude."

Equality California is the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org