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Obituaries

Honoring the lives and legacies of LGBTQ+ icons, activists, and community members who have left a lasting impact on the fight for equality.

Jill Sobule at the Concert for America in January

News

Jill Sobule, 'I Kissed a Girl' singer-songwriter, dies in house fire

Sobule, who was bisexual, became famous with the sapphic anthem, but her career also included a total of 12 albums and an autobiographical musical.

Obituaries

Madonna's brother Christopher Ciccone dies at 63

Beyond his career as an artist and designer, Christopher Ciccone also worked as a creative director for his sister, Madonna, in the 1990s.

rainbow stripes american flag military participants LGBTQ pride parade 2022 San Diego california

News

A veteran came out as gay in his obituary. Now, his family is praising his final 'salute'

The niece of Edward Thomas Ryan, the decorated military veteran who came out as gay in his obituary, is proud her uncle "got to open doors for other people."

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Obituaries

Robert Mueller, who investigated Trump and tested limits of presidential power, dies at 81

Chuck Norris, panned for past antigay remarks, dies at 86

The former action star died in Hawaii on Thursday morning, according to his family.

The Story of Jim French and Colt

Jim French died June 16, but we're glad to have his story in his own words, the way he would want it.

Hank Hightower, Gay Adult Film Star, Dead at 57

Hank Hightower starred in dozens of adult films in the 1990s and 2000s.

Queer Food Network chef Anne Burrell dies at 55

Anne Burrell shared her cooking skills in shows like Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and Worst Cooks in America.

Edmund White, pioneering queer author, dead at 85

From Forgetting Elena to The Joy of Gay Sex to The Loves of My Life: A Sex Memoir, White was a groundbreaking gay author.

Jill Sobule, 'I Kissed a Girl' singer-songwriter, dies in house fire

Sobule, who was bisexual, became famous with the sapphic anthem, but her career also included a total of 12 albums and an autobiographical musical.

Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva, fierce LGBTQ+ ally & progressive champion, dies at 77

His office confirmed his death in a statement.

Gay teacher who helped students, including Oscar-winner Julianne Moore, find their voice, takes final bow

Richard F. Smith gave so many students their first standing ovation.

Madonna's brother Christopher Ciccone dies at 63

Beyond his career as an artist and designer, Christopher Ciccone also worked as a creative director for his sister, Madonna, in the 1990s.

Bernie Delia, co-chair of World Pride 2025 and towering LGBTQ+ rights activist, is dead

He was 68 years old.

A veteran came out as gay in his obituary. Now, his family is praising his final 'salute'

The niece of Edward Thomas Ryan, the decorated military veteran who came out as gay in his obituary, is proud her uncle "got to open doors for other people."

Harvey Milk's original Advocate obituary from 1979

The gay rights icon was memorialized in the January 11, 1979 issue of The Advocate. Read the obituary below.

Sharon Lubinski, first out LGBTQ+ U.S. marshal and Minneapolis police officer, has died at 71

Lubinski eventually became assistant Minneapolis police chief.

Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62

They were initially expected to survive only a year but had long and full lives.

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Obituaries

The former action star died in Hawaii on Thursday morning, according to his family.

Jim French died June 16, but we're glad to have his story in his own words, the way he would want it.

Hank Hightower starred in dozens of adult films in the 1990s and 2000s.

Anne Burrell shared her cooking skills in shows like Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and Worst Cooks in America.

From Forgetting Elena to The Joy of Gay Sex to The Loves of My Life: A Sex Memoir, White was a groundbreaking gay author.

Sobule, who was bisexual, became famous with the sapphic anthem, but her career also included a total of 12 albums and an autobiographical musical.

His office confirmed his death in a statement.

Richard F. Smith gave so many students their first standing ovation.

Beyond his career as an artist and designer, Christopher Ciccone also worked as a creative director for his sister, Madonna, in the 1990s.

He was 68 years old.

The niece of Edward Thomas Ryan, the decorated military veteran who came out as gay in his obituary, is proud her uncle "got to open doors for other people."

The gay rights icon was memorialized in the January 11, 1979 issue of The Advocate. Read the obituary below.

Lubinski eventually became assistant Minneapolis police chief.

They were initially expected to survive only a year but had long and full lives.