ABOVE: Terry Fleming, photo via Equality Florida/Facebook.
Gainesville, Fla. | Prominent LGBTQ activist and Pride Community Center Co-President Terry Fleming died April 28 at the age of 58.
The Pride Community Center was founded in 2002. It serves the LGBTQ communities of Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee and Union counties.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of Terry Fleming’s death,” the LGBTQ community center shared April 29. “Terry was co-president of the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, and the loss to our community of this dear friend and esteemed leader cannot be overstated.”
Fleming also served as the treasurer and a past president of the Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County, as well as the state committeeman of the Alachua County Democratic Party. In addition, he had previously served as president of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, an arm of the state’s Democratic Party which represents the interests of LGBTQ Floridians.
“We are all in shock and mourning the loss our dear friend and dedicated colleague, Terry Fleming,” LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill shared. “He was one of the giants of our community who dedicated his life and career to service. First as a Navy veteran, then as a mentor and supporter of LGBTQ youth, as a policy advocate fighting for LGBTQ equality, and as a Democratic activist electing pro-equality candidates.
“Terry is a leader who can never be replaced,” Gaskill continued. “He brought decades of experience and institutional knowledge combined with a humble spirit and ‘get it done’ attitude. Because of Terry’s leadership, Alachua County and Gainesville have been lightyears ahead of other municipalities on LGBTQ equality – not just in Florida, but across the country. The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus sends our condolences to Terry’s husband and family, his community and colleagues.”
Previous caucus presidents also reflected on the loss. “Terry set an example for each of us to follow in our own activism,” said Sally Phillips, who now serves as Hillsborough LGBTA Democratic Caucus vice president.
“When he set a goal, he brought the community together to achieve it, no matter how hard it was or how long it took,” she continued. “When Gainesville and Alachua County banned forms of conversion therapy that were harming LGBTQ youth, the laws he helped pass became a model for municipalities around Florida, including my home of Hillsborough County. I will certainly miss his friendship and we all will miss his leadership.”
“Terry had everything you wanted in a leader: a steady hand, a smart political mind, experience, compassion and empathy, a humble heart for service, and an infectious spirit that inspired people to work together for a common purpose,” previous president Michael Albetta added. “For more than 20 years, I’ve counted on Terry for his counsel, hard work, and belief in our mission of equality for all. We’ve lost one of the greats.”
Read their full commentary below:
Equality Florida, the state’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, also reflected on Fleming’s activism.
“Equality Florida is stunned and heartbroken to learn of Terry Fleming’s passing,” they shared. “In every equality campaign for Gainesville and Alachua County for so many years, Terry was always there. He fiercely led the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus and the Human Rights Council of North Central Florida.
“We have appreciated his strategic acumen, his partnership and vision, and his hospitality at the Pride Community Center,” they continued. “We are holding Terry, his husband, his family, friends and the broad community whose lives he made better in our thoughts and hearts.”
