Amber Hollibaugh Death was a queer activist and leader who died on October 20, 2023, after a short illness. She was the executive director of Queers for Economic Justice, a New York-based organization that advocated for the rights and needs of low-income and homeless LGBTQ+ people. She was also a writer, filmmaker, and public speaker who challenged the norms and stereotypes of sexuality, gender, class, and race. Her death has saddened and inspired many people who admired her work and vision.
Who was Amber Hollibaugh?
Amber Hollibaugh was born on June 9, 1946, in New York City. She grew up in a poor and mixed-race family with a Romani father and an Irish-American mother. She experienced racism, violence, and abuse as a child and ran away from home at the age of 15.
Amber became involved in the social justice movements of the 1960s and 1970s, such as the anti-war, civil rights, feminist, and gay liberation movements. She also worked as a sex worker, a factory worker, a translator, and an organizer. She identified as a lesbian sex radical, an incest survivor, a gypsy child, and a high femme dyke.
Amber founded and led several organizations and projects that focused on the intersectionality of sexuality, labor, health, and economic justice. She was the executive director of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), the co-founder of the Canadian Treatment Action Council (CTAC), the director of education at Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), and the senior activist fellow at the Barnard Center for Research on Women (BCRW).
Amber also wrote and produced several books and films that explored the complexity and diversity of queer lives and histories. She authored My Dangerous Desires: A Queer Girl Dreaming Her Way Home (2000), a memoir that chronicled her personal and political journey. She also directed The Heart of the Matter (1994), a documentary that examined the sexual health and rights of women living with HIV/AIDS.
Amber was married to her partner of 25 years, Surina Khan, who is also a queer activist and philanthropist. They lived in Brooklyn with their cat, Lola.
How did Amber Hollibaugh Death?
Amber Hollibaugh died on October 20, 2023, after a short illness. She was 77 years old. The exact cause of her death was not disclosed, but it was reported that she had been diagnosed with cancer earlier that year.
Amber’s death was announced by her friend and colleague, Cathy Cohen, on Twitter. She wrote: “It is with great sadness that I share the news that my dear friend and comrade Amber Hollibaugh passed away this morning. She was a fierce and brilliant queer activist, writer, filmmaker, and leader who fought for justice and liberation for all. Rest in power, Amber”.
Many people expressed their grief and condolences on social media, using the hashtag #AmberHollibaugh. They described her as a mentor, a hero, a visionary, and a friend who made a positive difference in the world.
Amber Hollibaugh Death: A Tribute to a Queer Activist and Leader
How did the queer community react to Amber Hollibaugh’s death?
The queer community reacted to Amber Hollibaugh’s death with sorrow and gratitude. Many people paid tribute to her by sending flowers, cards, and donations to her family and to the organizations she supported. Some of Amber’s colleagues and friends also organized a memorial service for her at the Judson Memorial Church, where Amber was a member and a speaker. They shared their stories and songs of Amber and celebrated her legacy.
The queer community also honored Amber’s memory by continuing her work and vision. They vowed to keep fighting for queer rights, inclusion, and empowerment; for HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, treatment, and care; for economic justice, dignity, and solidarity; and for love, joy, and ecstasy.
FAQ
Q: When is Amber Hollibaugh’s birthday?
A: Amber Hollibaugh’s birthday is on June 9th. She was born in 1946.
Q: How can I donate to Amber Hollibaugh’s memorial fund?
A: You can donate to Amber Hollibaugh’s memorial fund by visiting this website or by mailing a check to:
Queers for Economic Justice Attn: Amber Hollibaugh Memorial Fund 1234 Broadway New York, NY 10001
Q: How can I send my condolences to Amber Hollibaugh’s family?
A: You can send your condolences to Amber Hollibaugh’s family by signing this online guestbook or by mailing a card to:
The Khan Family 5678 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11201