(Watermark archive photo by Jake Stevens)
ORLANDO | LGBTQ activist and Central Florida interior designer, Ted Maines passed away Dec. 14. He was 64.
Maines, along with husband and Central Florida attorney Jeffrey Miller, was well known for his work in advancing marriage equality, fighting for LGBTQ rights and helping to fundraise and elect progressive candidates.
Maines was the founder and owner of Ted Maines Interiors, a Winter Park-based full service interior design firm and luxury retailer.
In their work to make Central Florida a more open and accepting place, Maines and Miller were named Central Florida’s Most Powerful Couple in 2014, the first LGBTQ couple to achieve the honor. The couple were recipients of Equality Florida’s Voice For Equality Award the same year. In 2016, the couple received the Holocaust Center’s Kenneth F. Murrah Esq. Award for Outstanding Philanthropist and was named by Watermark as one of the Most Remarkable People of the Year.
“Because we live here, we work here, and we both own businesses here, we feel we have a responsibility to make it the best place it can be, not only for ourselves but for everyone that lives here,” Maines said in an interview with Watermark in 2016. “It’s just to give back. We’ve been very lucky and very fortunate in our lives, and we feel that, because of our ability to try and do things with both our time and our resources, we feel that it’s something we have an obligation to do.”
After learning the news of Maines’ passing, many local leaders and activists shared their condolences on social media.
“Ted and Jeff welcomed me into their home and introduced me to the community when I came out. They made me feel seen and affirmed at a very vulnerable time in my life,” wrote Equality Florida’s Gina Duncan. “Ted is so loved and will be so missed. My love to Jeff now and always.”
“Central Florida has lost an incredible person, community leader and dear friend – Ted Maines! The memories will be endless but somehow there will never be enough!” said state Sen. Linda Stewart. “My thoughts are with his husband Jeffrey Miller, his family, friends and our community.”
“Forever in our hearts and souls. One love,” wrote entertainer Blue Star.
Watermark founder, LGBTQ activist and dear friend of Maines, Tom Dyer will reflect on Maines’ passing in the next issue of Watermark, out Dec. 22.
