Today, October 5, 2023, the funeral for Dianne Feinstein (1933–2023) was held at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center in the Herbst Theatre. President Joe Biden, a longtime friend and colleague, previously ordered that the flag of the U.S. be flown at half-staff at the White House and at numerous other sites, including at embassies and facilities abroad. The honor demonstrates the scope of her lengthy career, which included serving as:
So many of us of a certain age remember the shocking moment, in 1978, when then San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Feinstein broke horrific news to the world: “Both Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk have been shot and killed,” she told a gasping and crying gathering of reporters. “The suspect is Supervisor Dan White.”
She had discovered his body and attempted to take his pulse, telling colleagues later of the passing while in shock herself, Milk’s blood still on her hands. Already a champion for gun control, she fought for it relentlessly throughout the rest of her career.
In terms of her stance on LGBTQ+ rights, the following is just a brief summary from her office describing some of her work over the decades.
Marriage Equality
In 1996, Senator Feinstein was one of only 14 senators to oppose the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages. She chaired the first congressional hearing on repealing DOMAand was the lead Senate sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill to repeal DOMA. She also led a congressional delegation in filing an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to find bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional in Obergefell v. Hodges.
LGBTQ+ Equality in the Military
Senator Feinstein was a consistent opponent of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that prohibited LGBTQ+ service members from disclosing their sexual orientation. Senator Feinstein continued to champion LGBTQ+ service members after “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was repealed in 2011. She strongly opposed President Trump’s attempts to ban transgender individuals from serving in the military.
Equality Act Support
Senator Feinstein supported the Equality Act, which would expand federal civil rights laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in public accommodations and facilities, employment, housing, credit, jury service, and federally funded programs. Specifically, the bill defines and includes sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity among the prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation.
Worked to End Discriminatory Adoption Laws
Senator Feinstein cosponsored the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act, which would prohibit discrimination against would-be foster parents and adoptive parents based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Diversified Data Collection
Senator Feinstein supported the LGBTQ Data Inclusion Act, which would require federal agencies to collect demographic information on the LGBTQ+ community to asses needed changes in survey methods related to asking questions about sexual orientation or gender identity.
Workforce Equality
She voted for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, known as ENDA, which would ban employers from firing, refusing to hire, or discriminating against workers or applicants based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Helped to Define Hate Crimes
Senator Feinstein was a strong supporter of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which expanded federal hate-crime laws to include crimes motivated by gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
A Loss That Goes Beyond Politics
Several of us who grew up in the Bay Area and/or who have lived in San Francisco for several years have personal memories of meeting with Senator Feinstein. A member of our team, for example, had an office for many years in the San Francisco Federal Building, and fondly recalled Senator Feinstein’s kindness during meetings and just casual moments, such as impromptu conversations in the elevator. Outside of the limelight she loved nature—a hobby was painting animals and flowers that caught her eye—and was fiercely loyal to her friends, including Hillary Clinton, when few in the Democratic Party showed meaningful support beyond surface level statements to the press.
Not everyone got to see this side of Senator Feinstein, and we have heard some LGBTQ community leaders express anger and frustration over her position on various issues or her not regularly attending certain community events. But for those who did experience it, including President Joe Biden, the loss is very personal. As he said, “Senator Dianne Feinstein was a pioneering American. A true trailblazer. And for Jill and me, a cherished friend. Dianne was tough, sharp, always prepared, and never pulled a punch, but she was also a kind and loyal friend, and that’s what Jill and I will miss the most.”
San Francisco Bay Times lead photographer Rink, who covered Dianne Feinstein’s political career for more than five decades, was invited by her, during the years when she served as San Francisco mayor, to events at her home, office, and campaign locations. Rink’s memories of her range from
funny to poignant to inspiring, and we are proud to present just some of his original images of her taken in the Castro, at City Hall, and beyond.
Photos by Rink
In Memoriam
Published on October 5, 2023
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