Outspoken Democratic Party activist Jean Harris died this week. During her lifelong work in politics she helped campaign for gay candidates, for expanded domestic-partnership rights California and against an Oregon bill that would ban talk of homosexuality in schools. Harris was 66 years old.
IN MEMORIAM
Amazing Dyke Activist Jean Harris Dies
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Sparky O
Hmmmm . . . I thought Jean Harris was the crazy bitch who shot her doctor husband. Dopey me.
Pitou
Gee Daniel, way to honor her memory by calling her a Dyke in your headline.
“Daniel Villarreal, whos brain sometimes leaks from his loose sloppy asshole, honors the memory of a long-time Lesbian activist with hateful slur!”
You sir, should remove your head from your loose sloppy asshole.
Toutwest
She was a bully and not the kind of person I want fighting for my rights. Another self appointed “leader” in the gay community.
Mike in Asheville
@Toutwest: So you didn’t like her style?
Well Tout, tell us, just how have you contributed to fighting the cause? Jean was there for over 30 years, front and center, working her gruff manner for a better tomorrow.
Oh yeah, this is Queerty, where there is no fun unless those-who-do get bashed by those-who-watch.
Pickles
DYKE is not an insult and it is how she (and millions of activist lesbians) refer to themselves.
Lesbians (just like gay men) have a right to self-determination.
Toutwest
@Mike in Ashville, I worked with her personally and saw her “gruff” behavior. As for me I have been out since I was 18 and working for gay rights since that time but I don’t need public admiration to do what is right. I can also include the two times I was gay bashed (two fake front teeth was my reward) if that helps you. Jean’s better tomorrow was anything that promoted Jean Harris.
She was one of the people who drove me out of the Harvey Milk Democratic Club with her less then subtle racism.
Chris
That picture looks eerily like Rosie O’Donnell.
merle
I think it’s amazing that she was able to overcome the trauma of the murder trial and incarceration to go on to become a leader in her community.
Jewed Law
@Toutwest: Good for you. (I mean that seriously, not sarcastically)
Tatterdemalion
The word dyke was originally used to describe women who dressed like men, or overtly masculine women. Over the years, it’s just become synonymous with the word lesbian. Given the picture associated with this story, I don’t think it’s out of place.
Jann Harris
Jean was my mother. She gave up her children and her entire life to fight for the LGBT community. She gave everything to your cause hoping for a better life for herself and all of you! She wore the term dyke like a badge of courage. Some of your comments here are cruel. I hope your children or you never read comments like this at your passing or one of your parent’s passing.