(Washington, D.C., July 9, 2002) --- Hugh Joseph (“Joe”) Beard, Jr., a co-founder and chairman of the board of directors of Gays and Lesbians for Individual Liberty, died over the Independence Day weekend. He was 55 years old. A statement of remembrance by GLIL President Richard Sincere follows:
“Joe Beard was present on the night that Gays and Lesbians for Individual Liberty was founded. For 11 years, he was a stalwart worker, offering his guidance and experience, his legal expertise, and his leadership. He served as chairman from the moment that GLIL was incorporated, and as an advisor to GLIL’s presidents and officers through a variety of activities.
“Joe will be remembered as the hub of a network of gay and lesbian libertarians and conservatives that extended far from his Dupont Circle home, across the United States and even across the oceans. He had the heart of a Republican, the mind of a libertarian, and the soul of a Roman Catholic.
“His hospitality was legendary, whether for his annual Christmas parties and Thanksgiving Day brunches, backyard barbecues, birthday bashes, or going-away soirées. Gatherings at his home were known for camaraderie, conviviality, and incisive but entertaining conversation. He leaves many friends and protégés.
“Joe Beard’s guidance was instrumental for GLIL’s success as the organization sometimes fought idiosyncratic battles in the arena of gay rights. His legal counsel helped bring to fruition GLIL’s controversial friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America in BSA v. Dale, the Supreme Court case that protected the Boy Scouts’ right to exclude openly gay Scout leaders. GLIL was the only gay and lesbian organization to argue that freedom of association applies even to those individuals and groups with whom we disagree, and Joe Beard helped formulate the argument for us.
“Joe was also a key element of the teams of GLIL members who put together fundraising events for Washington’s Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL), forums on same-sex marriage and home HIV testing, lectures on medicinal marijuana and the Second Amendment, and monthly social gatherings.
“Joe Beard will be remembered for his mastery of parliamentary procedure. His involvement in politics often centered on his appeal to rules and by-laws in order to make decisions properly. He served on the Rules Committee at more than one GOP National Convention. While his persistence and consistency might have been mistaken for stubbornness, those who knew him understood that they were evidence of his integrity.
“I hope I speak for all the previous presidents of GLIL – Kelly Young, David Morris, and Odell Huff – as well as for our officers and members, past and present, when I express our condolences to Joe’s family and our great appreciation for his life and work. He will be missed by us all.”
A memorial service for Joe Beard will be held at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, 1725 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W., in Washington at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16. His funeral will take place at the Forest Lawn Mortuary in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Saturday, July 13.
Gays and Lesbians for Individual Liberty was founded in February 1991 to advance the ideas of economic and personal freedom and individual responsibility. It has members across the United States and in several foreign countries. For more information, visit http://www.glil.org or telephone 202-903-5555.
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