Jean O'Leary

Jean O'Leary
source
Name	Jean O'Leary
Birth date	1948
Birth place	Ohio, United States
Death date	2005
Occupation	LGBT rights activist, National Organization for Women member

Jean O'Leary was a prominent LGBT rights activist and a key figure in the National Organization for Women (NOW), working closely with Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, and Shirley Chisholm. O'Leary's work was influenced by the Stonewall riots, the Gay Liberation Front, and the Daughters of Bilitis. Her activism was also shaped by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the National Gay Task Force (NGTF), and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

● Early Life and Education

Jean O'Leary was born in 1948 in Ohio, United States, and grew up in a Catholic family, attending Catholic schools and later enrolling in Ohio State University. She was influenced by the Civil Rights Movement, the Women's Liberation Movement, and the Anti-War Movement, which were all prominent during the 1960s and 1970s, with key events like the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the Watts riots, and the Kent State shootings. O'Leary's education was also shaped by her involvement with the National Organization for Women (NOW), the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and the League of Women Voters. She was particularly inspired by the work of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Gloria Steinem, who were all instrumental in shaping the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Rights Amendment.

● Career

O'Leary's career as an activist began in the 1970s, when she became involved with the National Organization for Women (NOW) and the National Gay Task Force (NGTF), working alongside Bruce Voeller, Nancy Pelosi, and Barney Frank. She was a key figure in the 1979 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, which was organized by the National Gay Task Force (NGTF) and supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. O'Leary's work was also influenced by the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), the Daughters of Bilitis, and the Mattachine Society, which were all prominent LGBT rights organizations during the 1970s and 1980s. She worked closely with Harvey Milk, George Moscone, and Dianne Feinstein, who were all instrumental in shaping the LGBT rights movement in San Francisco and beyond.

● Activism and Legacy

Jean O'Leary's activism focused on LGBT rights, women's rights, and social justice, with a particular emphasis on the AIDS epidemic and the Ryan White CARE Act. She worked with organizations like the Act Up, the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), and the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP), which were all instrumental in raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and advocating for the rights of people living with the disease. O'Leary's legacy is also closely tied to the work of Larry Kramer, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera, who were all prominent figures in the LGBT rights movement and the Stonewall riots. Her activism was recognized by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and the GLAAD Media Awards, which have all played a significant role in promoting LGBT rights and visibility.

● Personal Life

Jean O'Leary's personal life was marked by her relationships with her partner, Lisa Phelps, and her involvement with the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), which was founded by Troy Perry and has been a prominent LGBT-friendly church since the 1960s. O'Leary's personal life was also shaped by her experiences with breast cancer and her advocacy work on behalf of LGBT health and women's health, which has been supported by organizations like the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the American Cancer Society, and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Her legacy continues to inspire LGBT rights activists, including Chad Griffin, Tammy Baldwin, and Judy Shepard, who have all worked to advance the cause of LGBT equality and social justice. Category:LGBT rights activists