Dear Deborah, it's heartening to see the outpouring of love and admiration on this page. You deserve no less! So many of the condolences and memories posted here bring you vividly to life. I can only add a few of my own memories to show how deeply you affected those who came to know you. I remember your hearty laughs at meetings and how they helped ease the tension in a room. I remember your hugs and welcoming kisses, which you invited as an element of community-building. I remember your favorite slogan "To lobby is my hobby!" I remember the way you always spoke your mind. I remember the way you liked to draw on your lifetime of experiences at so many levels of activism. I remember your hats and capes and how they allowed you to occupy the space around you. I remember what it was like standing on a platform in the station with you when a drunk started to circle you and taunt you with transphobic comments. I remember how you weren't only a strategic thinker but someone who always looked for the human story as well, and how you could sit down with people away from the limelight to become very intimate. I remember your genuine concern, your unshakable values, your strong will, your big heart. I remember your inimitable accent in whatever language you spoke. I remember how proud I was whenever you gave your proxy to me for board meetings. I remember how it took you a while to get used to my irony, but that you learned to read me probably better than most others do. I remember so many things, Deborah, and they are all part of the huge legacy you bestow on so many of us within the LGBTI movement. We will miss your presence but not your inspiration, because your inspiration will stretch far beyond your time with us. It was both a pleasure and an honor to spend time with you, Deborah. Thank you so much for being who you were and for giving so much of yourself to so many.
Dear Deborah, it's heartening to see the outpouring of love and admiration on this page. You deserve no less! So many of the condolences and memories posted here bring you vividly to life. I can only add a few of my own memories to show how deeply you affected those who came to know you. I remember your hearty laughs at meetings and how they helped ease the tension in a room. I remember your hugs and welcoming kisses, which you invited as an element of community-building. I remember your favorite slogan "To lobby is my hobby!" I remember the way you always spoke your mind. I remember the way you liked to draw on your lifetime of experiences at so many levels of activism. I remember your hats and capes and how they allowed you to occupy the space around you. I remember what it was like standing on a platform in the station with you when a drunk started to circle you and taunt you with transphobic comments. I remember how you weren't only a strategic thinker but someone who always looked for the human story as well, and how you could sit down with people away from the limelight to become very intimate. I remember your genuine concern, your unshakable values, your strong will, your big heart. I remember your inimitable accent in whatever language you spoke. I remember how proud I was whenever you gave your proxy to me for board meetings. I remember how it took you a while to get used to my irony, but that you learned to read me probably better than most others do. I remember so many things, Deborah, and they are all part of the huge legacy you bestow on so many of us within the LGBTI movement. We will miss your presence but not your inspiration, because your inspiration will stretch far beyond your time with us. It was both a pleasure and an honor to spend time with you, Deborah. Thank you so much for being who you were and for giving so much of yourself to so many.
