Human Rights Campaign statement on passing of Rev. James Orange

Joe Solmonese issued a statement today on the February 16 death of Rev. Dr. James Orange, a prominent civil rights leader who fought to ensure that the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community remained on the forefront of the fight for equality:


"The GLBT community has lost a great ally and leader. From the time he was a young man, Rev. Orange demonstrated the passion and dedication to a vision of a nation free from hate. He continued that work until his death, and the GLBT community will be forever grateful for his efforts.

"Rev. Orange was active in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference through the late 1970s, when he became a union organizer. Throughout his life, he served at numerous national and international labor and civil rights organizations, including the AFL-CIO and the People’s Agenda for Voter Empowerment. He also supported the Bayard Rustin Breakfast, a GLBT component of the events surrounding Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day."

About Rev. James Orange