‘Legendary activist’ and ‘powerhouse for the LGBTQ+ community’ Rick Garcia dies aged 69

Chicago LGBTQ+ activist Rick Garcia has died at the age of 69.

Garcia, who was a leader in the Illinois city’s civil rights movement, died on 12 January. His advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community dates back decades. In 1996, the Chicago Reader reported that he kept his sexual orientation a secret throughout high school and into college.

In 1976, he attended a speech by theology professor Father Louis Hanlon, who spoke about the “sin” of homosexuality. Garcia had none of it and spoke out against Hanlon, telling him: “Gay people are entitled to friendship, love, and justice, according to the American Catholic bishops. What you said was neither friendly, loving, or just.”

Garcia would go on to be a part of multiple LGBTQ+ rights groups, and joined the effort to pass the city’s LGBTQ+-inclusive Human Rights Ordinance, which was passed and enacted in 1988. 

He pushed for similar protections at the Cook County level, which were enacted in 1993, and in 1992 he was a principal founder of the Illinois Federation for Human Rights, later renamed Equality Illinois.

Garcia was also at the forefront of advocacy for the passage of an Illinois law against discrimination based on sexual orientation, which was approved in 2005. He also pushed for marriage equality, which was signed into law in Illinois in 2013. In 2012, after parting ways as public policy director of Equality Illinois, he joined the staff of The Civil Rights Agenda. 

‘A fierce and legendary activist’

A post by political strategist Richard Streetman announcing his death read: ​“While many knew Rick as a fierce and legendary activist who spent decades fighting for equality, justice, and dignity in Illinois and beyond, we knew him as a man of immense warmth, sharp wit, and a fierce commitment to his convictions.

“​Rick dedicated his life to the belief that everyone deserves to live with pride and legal protection. His work helped shape history, but his true impact was felt in the lives of the individuals he empowered and the community he helped build.”

The post noted that details of Garcia’s memorial will follow. 

Comments under the post reflect an outpouring of appreciation for the good Garcia has achieved during his lifetime. 

‘Such a powerhouse for the LGBTQ+ community’

One comment read: “Rick was one of a kind. A relentless fighter for equality and justice, he could be strong, angry, snarky, and defiant about the issues, while warm, loving and genuinely concerned about not just the communities, but the individual people for whom he fought. May his memory be for a blessing.” 

Another comment read: “Such a powerhouse for the LGBTQ+ community. We laughed and worked on many similar causes.”

Statewide LGBTQ+ rights group, Equality Illinois, of which Garcia was a founder, remembered him as “a towering leader in the fight for civil rights across our state and nation”. 

The post added: “Rick’s visionary leadership helped secure Chicago’s landmark 1988 anti-discrimination ordinance, his legacy lives on in the laws he helped pass, and the countless lives affected by his work.

“We honor Rick’s tremendous life, and remain committed to carrying forward the vision he helped create.”

A comment under the post shared that his death is a “major loss to the LGBTQ+ community”. 

“Rick Garcia was a fearless activist at a time when our community had few allies,” a different comment shared. 

PRIDE Chicago also shared a post mourning the loss of Garcia.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.