Joe Campbell, aka Sugar Plum Fairy, was immortalized in the iconic Lou Reed song "Walk On The Wild Side." The song paid homage to the Andy Warhol entourage popularly known as the Warhol Superstars. Joe starred in Warhol's 1965 film My Hustler, the first Warhol film shot by cinematographer Paul Morrissey. The film, shot entirely on Fire Island, is a queer classic; it enjoyed a modicum of art-house success during its initial release and forged the way for many years of film collaboration between Morrissey and Warhol.
Joe was a wonderful raconteur, always willing to share a vibrant tale of those heady days, and in 2003 he contributed his oral history and rare vintage photos to Steven Watson's celebrated book Factory Made: Warhol and The Sixties. Joe and Stanley were flown to New York for the debut of the book and the corresponding exhibit at the Whitney Museum. The trip reunited Joe with many of his New York colleagues for the first time in over 30 years (Joe moved to California circa 1968).
From 1956 through 1962 Joe was in a passionate relationship with Harvey Milk (Milk's 2nd). They lived together in New York and Texas and for a time with Harvey's mother Minerva on Long Island, NY.  In 1993, as the James C. Hormel Center was developing its collections, but not yet open to the public, Joe dropped by to offer his support and generously donated 28 letters received from Harvey Milk discussing their relationship and Milk's search for jobs in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Miami. Some of the letters are online at: sfpl.lib.ca.us/librarylocations/main/glc/hmilkltrs.htm
Campbell and Milk's relationship was pivotal to both men's personal history and is referenced in many historical sources relating to Milk, most notably the book The Mayor of Castro Street by Randy Shilts.
Though Joe's final years were informed by health struggles, and two bouts with cancer, he remained vigorous in spirit, finding solace in gardening at home or traveling with Stanley, and continuing to share his story, i.e. advocating for AIDS awareness in the Marin school district. Â
Joe was a beloved icon of both the pre- and post-Stonewall eras of the LGBT Civil rights movements.
Joe will be remembered by his sisters, Nancy Zelkowitz of Florida, Jackie Howard, and Eleanor Williamson and her husband Ray of Nashville, Tennessee, and his many nieces and nephews. Â He will also be missed dearly by his partner of 24 years, Stanley Jensen, by their dear friend Dave Martin, and by friends from the Marin AIDS Project and Marin Interfaith Network. Joe and Stanley met in 1980 and lived together in a petite rural home in Woodacre, California. Joe will also be dearly missed by this author, who holds him in his heart in the highest regard.
A memorial will be held on November 4th at 4 p.m. at the Mount Tamalpais Cemetery, 2500 Fifth Ave., San Rafael, California. Â For information, call Stanley Jensen 415-488-4632.
— Dan Nicoletta