STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF URVASHI VAID, ACTIVIST, AUTHOR, ATTORNEY AND PAST TASK FORCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 14, 2022) Legendary attorney, LGBTQ activist, and author Urvashi Vaid, known for her extensive career as an advocate for LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, anti-war efforts, immigration justice and many other social causes, died today at age 63 in her home in New York City.
She was the Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force from 1989 to 1992 and served prior to that as Media Director. “We are devastated at the loss of one of the most influential progressive activists of our time,” said Kierra Johnson, current Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force. “Urvashi Vaid was a leader, a warrior and a force to be reckoned with,” continued Johnson, “She was also a beloved colleague, friend, partner and someone we all looked up to – a brilliant, outspoken and deeply committed activist who wanted full justice and equality for all people.” “Her leadership, vision and writing helped shape not only the Task Force’s values and work but our entire queer movement and the larger progressive movement.
We will strive every day to live up to her ideals and model the courage she demonstrated every day as an activist and a person.
She will be deeply I missed. I miss her already.” concluded Johnson. At George H.W. Bush’s 1990 address on AIDS, Vaid, then the Executive Director of The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, made a statement with her sign: “Talk Is Cheap, AIDS Funding is Not”.
