This week San Diego Democrats mourn the passing of Gloria Johnson (1937-2013), who was known for four decades as one of California’s most forceful activists for feminist and lesbian issues and Democratic politics.

Gloria became the first openly LGBT person to serve on the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee in 1976; she was named a Lifetime Member this year. She was a longtime board member and past president of San Diego Democrats for Equality (previously known as the San Diego Democratic Club).

In 1978 Gloria served as the San Diego Co-Chair of the committee to defeat the Briggs Initiative (Proposition 6), which would have banned gays and lesbians from teaching in California public schools.

Gloria was a longtime member of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and served as Co-President of the San Diego County Chapter and Vice President for Political Action for California NOW. Before her retirement in…