Longtime gay activist Ken Jones, a Black man who was key to the desegregation of LGBTQ activism, died January 13. He was 70.
The cause was cancer, according to Cleve Jones, a close friend. "Ken Jones was a hero," Cleve Jones wrote in a Facebook post announcing his friend's death. "He survived many struggles.
He deeply loved his family and his community, and dedicated his entire life to the movement for peace and justice. He was very grateful to all of you who reached out to him with messages of encouragement and love during his illness.
Today Ken lost his fight against cancer. A memorial will be arranged when it is safe once more for us to gather. Rest in Power, Ken.