8:43pm | Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club leaders release statements on death of Jean Harris:

“On behalf of the Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club it is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of an amazing trail-blazer. Jean Harris, a former VP of Long Beach Lambda, never shied away from a fight for equality, even when it was not a popular choice. 

Her dedication and passion for the LGBTQ community will forever be a staple and her legacy will live on through those she taught and mentored. Jean was a personal friend of mine and the woman that got me involved in politics. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her partner Denise and their children.”

Cory Allen
President 
Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club

“Jean Harris was a tireless, fearless advocate for the Queer community for as long as anyone can remember. Starting in San Francisco, she occupied Harvey Milk’s office right after he died. She was a force to be reckoned with long when powerful women were a rarity on the political scene. She moved among power brokers and made things happen at the State capitol through her intellect and sheer force of will. 

When Jean came back to Long Beach, Lambda Democratic she immediately got more women on the board and energized local politics. The reason I ran for third district city council was that Jean Harris hunted me down and told me I had to run, against two top candidates, one of whom is still in office. The reason I made to the runoff was her political acumen and hard work. This is a great loss for the LGBTQ community.”

A. Stephanie Loftin 
Immediate Past President
Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club

3:35pm |  Long Beach and the LGBT community statewide is mourning the passing of Jean Harris, a passionate and spirited political activist who helped blaze the trail for LGBT equality. She passed away last week at the age of 66 due to complications with several health issues, said her partner, Denise Penn.

Harris enjoyed a storied career in grassroots activism that placed her at the forefront of the California LGBT movement.

Progressive and outspoken at a time when “gay” was still a dirty word, Harris was committed to bringing
the LGBT community out of the shadows and into the mainstream. Her time as executive director for
California Alliance for Pride and Equality, the precursor to Equality California , would turn that organization into a formidable lobbying force with significant clout.

She was raised and educated in Long Beach, earning a bachelor’s degree from Cal State Long Beach.

Harris did her post-graduate work at Cal State San Francisco and also left quite an imprint on that city. While there, she worked tirelessly during the early ’90s to elect LGBT officials, such as Carol Midgin, Tom
Ammiano, Harry Britt, and Roberta Achtenberg.

Even with all of her success up north and across the state, Harris never forgot about her home city. She
served as the vice president of the Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club from 2008 to 2010,and worked
on the campaign of city council candidate Stephanie Loftin in 2005.

Harris is survived by her children, Jann and Jill; her partner, Penn; Penn’s children, Jake and Rachel; a granddaughter, Brooke; her siblings, Roy, George and Linda; and her mother, Mary, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday. 
 
A private service will be held for family and friends. A celebration of life open to the public is being planned and will be announced at a later date.

Her memory will live on among the countless LGBT activists she mentored, campaigned with and befriended

Editor’s note: Denise Penn is a Long Beach Post contributer.