The Bilerico Project | Daily experiments in LGBTQ

Editor's Note: Today's guest post about the sad news of Feminist & LGBT Warrior Rusty Gordon's death comes from South Florida activist Bill Vayens. Gordon was listed as one of the "Feminist who Changed America" in the book by Barbara J. Love in 2007.

Rusty Gordon, a pioneer in the women's and LGBT movements, passed away last evening after a long illness.

She will be missed by all whose lives she touched. As a music producer in the 60's, she began producing women's concerts and festivals in the 70's and was an early supporter of lesbian musical artists.

In the late 60's she founded the Whimsey Political Clearinghouse in South Florida, with a focus on women's studies and LGBT issues. She was well known in NOW circles in South Florida and nationally and helped found the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus. Last year she was named Chair Emeritus of the Caucus, after having served as its vice president for many years.

Rusty leaves behind her long time partner, Davy Whims, and a very large hole in the communities she loved and served.

It seems somewhat fitting that she should be looking down on the day that the nation's first hate crimes protection for the LGBT community was signed into law. She was always pushing the envelope for equality and we are sure she has her usual grin on her face, knowing we've made another advance.