Black, a veteran (US Navy), openly gay, community activist, and a survivor of HIV - even in San Francisco, it must have been pretty tough going, but Ken Jones kept smiling and kept making a difference. Even before there was a gay rights movement, Ken Jones was there. Ken worked on the committee for the new gay pride parade in San Francisco. He was there when that brand new rainbow flag was first unfurled by Gilbert Baker. He was a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS and for LGBTQ+ rights and equality. I had the great joy of knowing Ken and can honestly say his excitement and enthusiasm was contagious.
Besides his activism, Ken Jones was a wedding officiant and united couples not only in San Francisco, but all over the world. He also conducted tours and brought San Francisco's LGBTQ+ history alive in his walks through the Castro District. There were so many delightful historical tidbits you heard directly from someone who had actually been there and been involved.
In September 2020, Jones was diagnosed with bladder cancer, from which he died early the next year. He was 70 years old when he died. Many years earlier he had been prepared to die when he was first diagnosed with HIV. Thankfully he lived many more years and truly made a difference.
There are times when I wish I could spend more time here on the posts I write. There is so much more I could say about Ken Jones. I'm glad I got to know him.
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