U.S. Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy—a staunch LGBT ally who was nicknamed "The Liberal Lion of the Senate"—died the night of Aug. 25 after battling brain cancer, CNN.com reported. He was 77.
According to a family statement, "We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever."
Kennedy—the younger brother of the late President John F. Kennedy and N.Y. Sen. Robert Kennedy—became part of the U.S. Senate in 1962, when he was elected to finish John's term. ( John became president in 1960. )
Kennedy, proving his liberal stance, became known for introducing measures that benefited the LGBT community. According to Advocate.com, he was one of only 14 senators who voted against the 1996 Defense of Marriage of Act, which bans federal recognition of same-sex marriages.
He introduced the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act in 2007 as well as the ( gender identity-less ) Employment Non-Discrimination Act that same year.
Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said in a statement that " [ t ] he loss to our community is immeasurable. There was no greater hero for advocates of LGBT equality than Senator Ted Kennedy. From the early days of the AIDS epidemic, to our current struggle for marriage equality he has been our protector, our leader, our friend. ... Our hearts go out to the Kennedy family."
Congressman Mike Quigley e-mailed Windy City Times that "Senator Kennedy was an inspiration not only to me, but to all who work to make this country a better place. His memory will forever live in the actions of those who champion equality, liberty, and progress. Our fond thoughts are with Senator Kennedy's family and friends today, and we remain confident that, as the Senator once said remembering his brother Robert, 'what he was to us and what he wished for others will some day come to pass for all the world.'"
It is the second time this month that a prominent member of the Kennedy clan passed away. Eunice Kennedy Shriver—Ted Kennedy's sister and founder of the Special Olympics—died Aug. 11.
Kennedy is survived by his second wife, Victoria Ann Reggie Kennedy; his first wife, Joan Bennett; and five children.
FROM A NEWS RELEASE
August 26, 2009
WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, issued the following statement today on the passing of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy ( D-MA ) .
"The nation has lost its greatest champion and strongest voice for justice, fairness, and compassion," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "The loss to our community is immeasurable. There was no greater hero for advocates of LGBT equality than Senator Ted Kennedy. From the early days of the AIDS epidemic , to our current struggle for marriage equality he has been our protector, our leader, our friend. He has been the core of the unfinished quest for civil rights in this country and there is now a very painful void. Our hearts go out to the Kennedy family."
FROM A NEWS RELEASE
Task Force: Sen. Edward Kennedy 'spent life fighting for justice'
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force mourns the loss of U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy ( D-Mass. ) , who died after battling a brain tumor. Kennedy was a champion of many progressive causes. He was a strong supporter of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He played a central role in enactment of legislation outlawing discrimination in housing, prohibiting gender discrimination, the Age Discrimination Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. He also authored amendments strengthening enforcement of key provisions of the Civil Rights Act.
Kennedy was the original sponsor of hate crimes legislation in 1997. Since then, he fought tirelessly to secure repeated successful votes on the legislation, ultimately wholeheartedly supporting and securing several successful Senate votes for the version of the legislation that included both sexual orientation and gender identity. In 1994, Kennedy was the original Senate lead on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and, in his later years, championed the expanded version that would protect all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT ) people.
In 1996, Kennedy voted against the "Defense of Marriage Act," led opposition to a federal marriage amendment and opposed an anti-marriage measure in Massachusetts. He fought to end funding of abstinence-only education programs. Kennedy was an outspoken supporter for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and increased funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
"The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force mourns the loss of Senator Edward Kennedy, a true champion of the people and a dear friend to our community. The senator was a hero to many across the country and around the world. He spent his life fighting for justice for working people, people of color, children, women, LGBT people, immigrants, people with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS and so many others who looked to his leadership for a more just society. Senator Kennedy was unmatched in his compassion and in his willingness to stand with those who often lacked a champion. Even after his death, his vision will inspire generations to work for the health, welfare and equality for all he so doggedly pursued. We offer our deepest and most sincere condolences to his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones at this difficult time."
FROM A NEWS RELEASE
Aug. 26, 2009
GLSEN Statement on Senator Edward M. Kennedy's Passing
NEW YORK, August 26, 2009 — GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is saddened by the news of Senator Edward M. Kennedy's passing. As Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Senator Kennedy was a leader in the effort to enact an enumerated federal anti-bullying policy that would include protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
If the Safe Schools Improvement Act, currently introduced in the House, becomes law, it would be a testament to Senator Kennedy's insistence that all students must be protected in any federal anti-bullying policy.
"At a key moment for education reform, GLSEN Founder Kevin Jennings and I had the remarkable opportunity to have a private lunch with Senator Kennedy to discuss the need for action on safe schools issues," GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said. "Senator Kennedy showed a genuine passion for making America's schools safe for every student, and as the Senate geared up for reauthorization of No Child Left Behind soon thereafter, he turned that passion into concrete commitment. We were so grateful for his leadership in including crucial safe schools language in all of his drafts of the bill."
"While Senator Kennedy left his mark on so many aspects of recent American history, his stewardship of education reform highlighted the importance of federal action to promote respect for all. He was a friend to GLSEN as well as students and educators in Massachusetts and across the country."
