Anytime we lose a loved one or someone we admire or look up to, it’s difficult. After scouring the media resources, we took a look back over 2024 at whom we’ve lost. Community members, allies and icons make up the list included here. While it is by no means exhaustive, it touches on the lives of the many people who perhaps touched ours during their time spent on planet Earth.
President Jimmy Carter, Dec. 29
Carter passed away Sunday afternoon, Dec. 29 at the age of 100. Carter’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ began in March 1977 when he became the first president (1976-1980) in history to allow a formal discussion of gay civil rights to be held in the White House. The meeting was led by then White House senior adviser Midge Costanza, the first woman (and a lesbian, who had yet to come out publicly) to serve in that position. Carter became increasingly vocal about his support for LGBTQ+ rights in later years, including marriage equality, confirming that he supported it and doing so was not contradicting his Christian faith. His advocacy for our community continued well into his 90s. “I think Jesus would encourage any love affair if it was honest and sincere and was not damaging to anyone else,” Carter said in an interview with the Huffington Post. “And I don’t see that gay marriage damages anyone else,” he said. “I believe Jesus would approve.”
Nikki Giovanni, Dec. 9
Best known for her work as a poet, Giovanni was a well-known author and professor. She passed away peacefully with her wife Ginney Fowler at her side. Aged 81, Giovanni was a civil rights activist and committed to social issues, especially in areas of gender and race. A native of Knoxville, Tenn., she was born June 7, 1943, and graduated from Fisk University in 1967 with a degree in history. From her website: “My dream was to publish or to even be a writer. My dream was to discover something no one else had thought of. I guess that’s why I’m a poet. We put things together in ways no one else does.”
Mark Withers, Nov. 22
A straight actor and ally for the LGBTQ+ community. Withers, 77, was best known for the character of Ted Dinnard on the 1980s primetime drama “Dynasty,” where he played the love interest of central character Stephen Carrington. Withers appeared in multiple programs throughout his career, including shows like “Matlock,” “Magnum P.I.,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “Dallas,” “LA Law” and “Days of Our Lives.” Of his role as Ted Dinnard, Withers called show creators “brilliant and … years ahead of their time.”
Paul Teal, Nov. 15
Only 35 years old, the film and TV actor is likely best remembered for his role in the CW teen drama One Tree Hill. In the series the actor played Josh Avery a closeted movie star who eventually comes out. The cause of Teal’s death was reported as pancreatic cancer. He was engaged to marry fellow actor Emilia Torello, although that was not to be. The two men met while working on the 2022 production of “Newsies” and began dating shortly thereafter. Torello shared a tribute on Instagram, calling Teal his “soulmate, my soon-to-be husband, my rock and my future.”
Ted Olson, Nov. 13
Olson, 84, was a former solicitor general, serving during the terms of Presidents Reagan, Bush 1 and Bush 2. Although a conservative, the attorney successfully argued on behalf of same-sex marriage. Of the case, Olson said this: “It is the right of individuals, not an indulgence, to be dispensed by the state. The right to marry, to choose to marry, has never been tied to procreation.” Olson’s wife, Barbara, was a well-known commentator on CNN and Fox news. She was killed in one of the three planes that crashed on Sept. 11, 2001. In a documentary about the marriage case that followed years later Olson said, “this is the most important thing I have ever done, as an attorney, or a person.”
Terri Garr, Oct. 29
The comedic actress, 79, began her career as a background dancer for Diana Ross and The Supremes as well as Elvis Presley. During the 1960s she appeared in such notable television programs as “Star Trek,” “Dr. Kildare” and “Batman.” In the years that followed she achieved acclaim in such films as “Young Frankenstein,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “Mr. Mom.” During the 1990s she experienced a resurgence when she appeared as the character of Phoebe’s mother on the popular television series “Friends.” Garr passed after a long-term battle with multiple sclerosis.
Mitzi Gaynor, Oct. 17
Gaynor was 93 years old when she passed away from natural causes. One of the last remaining recognized “stars” of the classic Hollywood musical era, she was best known for her roles in the films “South Pacific” and “White Christmas.” Gaynor was active on social media and known to be an ally for the LGBTQ+ community.
Gavin Creel, Sept. 30
The Broadway actor, singer and songwriter, 48, was an openly gay man who appeared on stage and in such roles as Jimmy Smith in “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” which earned him a Tony Award nomination and “Hair,” his second Tony nomination. He finally captured the Tony award for his role in “Hello, Dolly!” and won a Lawrence Olivier Award for his role in “The Book of Mormon.”
Maggie Smith, Sept. 27
Smith appeared on stage, and films and television in a career that spans more than 60 years. With roles in more than 50 films she was known best for her appearances in the Harry Potter films and “Downton Abbey,” which left her much endeared to the LGBTQ+ community for her loving wit and cynicism. The winner of two Academy awards, Smith racked up a number of Emmy awards, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild awards and a Tony award. She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1990. At the time of her death, Smith was 89.
Gena Rowlands, Aug. 14
Actress Rowlands was 96 at the time of her death. She began her career in film and television in 1954. Married to actor and director John Cassavetes until his death in 1989, she appeared in such notable films as “Woman Under the Influence” and “Gloria,” a film that endeared her to the LGBTQ+ community. A winner of two Golden Globes and four Emmy awards, she received an honorary Academy Award in 2016. In later years she appeared in the film “The Notebook” and such television programs as “Monk” and “NCIS.”
Richard Simmons, July 13
Simmons was gay but chose to remain closeted throughout most of his life. A comical fitness guru, he came to the realization he wanted to help inspire others after his own weight loss journey. That led to the opening of a fitness center in Los Angeles and later the release of popular workout videos like “Sweating to the Oldies,” among others. In addition to appearances on the soap opera “General Hospital,” he appeared in his own television series, “The Richard Simmons Show,” which won four daytime Emmy awards. He was the author of nine books, among them an autobiography. Simmons, 76 at the time of his passing, was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame in 2006.
Rodger Corman, May 9
Cormen began his career as an actor but was better known as the king of b-movies for directing such classic low budget films as “Attack of the Crab Monsters,” “The Wasp Woman” and “Bucket of Blood” in the 1950s and 1960s. He is recognized for giving such acclaimed directors as Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard and Peter Bogdanovich a foot in the door when others would not. Corman received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991 and was awarded an honorary Oscar in 2009. He was 98 at the time of his passing.
Joe Lieberman, March 27
Lieberman is best remembered as the running mate for progressive candidate Al Gore during his presidential campaign in the year 2000. From 1983 to 1988 Lieberman served as the Connecticut attorney general after 10 years in the state senate. He was elected to the US Senate in 1989 and maintained his seat for 24 years. Lieberman officially retired in 2012 but then joined forces with former Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory to form the No Labels party, which politically flopped. Lieberman was 82 at the time of his death.
Glynnis Johns, Jan. 4
Legendary actress Johns, another of the very few classic “Hollywood golden era stars” appeared in more than 60 films during a career that touched eight decades. Among her most notable roles was Mrs. Banks in the film “Mary Poppins,” with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Other films of note include “The Cabinet of Caligari,” “The Weak and the Wicked,” “No Highway in the Sky” and “Mrs Venable.” In later years she appeared in such films as “Cheers,” “Murder She Wrote” and “The Love Boat.” Johns was 100.
