US lesbian activist Jean Harris dies aged 66 reports Peter Lloyd for Pink Paper.
The influential campaigner was found dead at her Palm Springs home by her partner, Denise Penn. Despite suffering from ill health, an autopsy has been ordered to formally determine the exact cause of death.
The Orange County native was considered a political pioneer after helping gay candidates get elected in California - namely, two lesbians to the city's Board of Supervisors and a gay man to the school board in 1990.
She also served as chief of staff to Supervisor Harry Britt, who succeeded Harvey Milk after his 1978 assassination, Advocate.com report.
"She could be a pain," California Democratic Party chair John Burton told the LA Times.
"She'd push and sometimes people got upset with her, but she cared enough to not be nice in order to achieve the community's goals."
In addition to Penn, Harris is survived by her mother, a brother, a sister, four children and a granddaughter.
Source - - PinkPaper.com
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