A celebration of life will be held Sunday, May 21, for Gloria Nieto, a lesbian and longtime community leader who died September 6, 2022 at her home in Ben Lomond near Santa Cruz. The cause was cancer, which Ms. Nieto battled for many years, said her spouse Jo Kenny.
As the Bay Area Reporter noted in its obituary, Ms. Nieto was active in Democratic Party politics. She was the first Latina lesbian to address a presidential nominating gathering, when she made remarks at the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. She served for eight years on the Democratic National Committee, including stints as secretary of the DNC's LGBT Caucus (now the LGBTQ Caucus).
Ms. Nieto was a member of the 13-person gay and lesbian contingent that met with President Bill Clinton in the White House in the late 1990s.
The memorial will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at Henry Cowell State Park in Felton (Santa Cruz County). From Highway 9, turn onto North Big Trees Road, turn right immediately after the check-in kiosk, then turn left at picnic area 1. There is a $10 parking fee.
People are asked to bring stories of Ms. Nieto and sides and snacks to share, as well as folding chairs.
To RSVP or for questions, contact Anna Nieto at [email protected]
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