We at Living Out join other members of the LGBTQ community in mourning the loss of Urvashi Vaid, a courageous lawyer, author, and activist committed to the ideals of equality and justice. Urvashi, 63, died of cancer on May 14.

Vaid moved with her family to New York from New Delhi when she was seven years old. She attended Vassar College obtained her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law and began her career as a staff attorney at ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union). She went on to hold a number of positions at the National LGBTQ Task Force, ultimately serving as that agency’s first female executive director from 1989 to 1992.

Viad created or was involved with any number of other social justice organizations, including the Equality Federation, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the Donors of Color Network. She also served on the board of the Gill Foundation and was a founding board member of the American LGBTQ+ Museum.

Those lucky enough to have known Urvashi knew her to be a true firebrand. Those who didn’t know her have, none-the-less, benefitted from her courage, vision, and action.

Thank you, Urvashi. The world is a better place because of you.