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Loading ...Gay rights advocate, AIDS activist McFarlane dies
05.19.2009 8:49am EDT
(Denver, Colorado) Rodger McFarlane, a Denver-based advocate for gay rights and HIV-AIDS treatment and education, has died while traveling in New Mexico. He was 54.
The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator confirmed Monday that McFarlane died Friday in Truth or Consequences but didn’t immediately release the cause.A statement released by Tim Sweeney, president of the Denver-based Gill Foundation, where McFarlane once worked, said McFarlane committed suicide. McFarlane left a note citing back and heart problems that limited his ability to work and travel, the statement said.
“We will eternally be in his debt as a result of his many, lasting contributions,” Sweeney said.
McFarlane was executive director of the Gill Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Founded by software entrepreneur Tim Gill, the foundation funds programs advocating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights.
Earlier, McFarlane helped found New York’s Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Gay Men’s Health Crisis and Bailey House, a housing provider for homeless people with HIV, said Fred Saenz, vice president for communication of the Gill Foundation.
McFarlane wrote “The Complete Bedside Companion: A No Nonsense Guide to Caring for the Seriously Ill.” Saenz said that book grew out of McFarlane’s experience of caring for friends.
It sounds like Rodger was an interesting man who made a difference in this world. We should all be so fortunate to leave this world a better place.
The suicide reminds me that non of us have it made; we all have demons and burdens. Some of us live with them, others live thru them and some of us die because of them. God Bless Us All!
I hope you’re going to have a more extensive artle on McFarlane and his accomplishments for the gay community. A more informative article was in the NY Times and included a photograph… why don’t you have one shown with your article?
This is a sad day in american history one of our greatest pioneers has died he fought so hard for the gay and lesbian, transgender community. his contributions to our community will never be forgotten may god bless his family in their time of mourning