The Los Angeles LGBT Center is mourning the death of LGBT activist and leader Urvashi Vaid, who passed away on May 14.

“The world has lost a giant in the movement for LGBTQ freedom, justice and equality,” L.A. LGBT Center CEO Lorri L. Jean said.

She said Vaid had been battling cancer, and that the two first met in the early 1980s, when they were both young attorneys and lesbian activists in Washington, D.C.

“As we became friends and, eventually, colleagues, I admired her leadership and all that she accomplished, both within and outside of our movement – for queer people, for women, for people of color and against poverty,” Jean added. “She continued her work to advance equity and justice until the very end.”

She said she will always be grateful for Vaid, who was among a group of people to encourage her to accept her position with the center in 1992.

“When the National LGBTQ Task Force faced severe financial challenges in 2001, she played the key role in recruiting me to step in and help turn things around, lending her support every step of the way,” Jean added. “Over the years, we spent many an hour laughing and scheming about ways to advance the causes we cared so deeply about. Urvashi was a visionary. But, she was so much more – brilliant, hilarious, charismatic, loving, determined and, above all, courageous. She made life better for all of us. Our community and our nation owe her an enormous debt of gratitude. Our hearts go out to Urvashi’s wife, Kate Clinton, and to everyone who loves her.  If there’s a heaven, Urv is already organizing the angels.”