Name: Terry Bean
Organization (if you work with one): Co-founder of Victory Fund, Gay Games, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), LGBTQ+ activist, and political fundraiser
Job Title or Self-Given Title: Activist, Philanthropist, Political Advocate
When did you start getting involved with being an activist or advocate and why?
I started my activist “career” as an anti-war activist in college in the 1960s. I’ve been engaged in LGBTQ+ activism since the 1970s, first in Eugene, Oregon, but soon expanding to a nationwide effort as the LGBTQ movement grew. I was and am driven by the need for equality and visibility in a time when our community had little legal or social recognition. The injustices faced by LGBTQ people in their homes, at work, and in the larger social and political arenas inspired me to take action.
What are the issues that you focus on?
My advocacy has primarily focused on LGBTQ+ rights – discrimination in the workplace and beyond, same sex marriage, HIV/AIDs awareness – oftentimes by ensuring LGBTQ people have a place at the decision-making tables. Because of this, I have spent a lot of time working to elect progressive democrats and LGBTQ people into political office.
How does your work help build our community bigger and stronger?
By supporting pro-equality candidates, fundraising for crucial causes, and helping build influential organizations like HRC, I’ve worked to give our community a stronger voice in politics and policy. Advocacy is about creating lasting change, and empowering others to carry the work forward is key to strengthening our movement.
What is the greatest achievement you have had in the work you are doing?
Co-founding the Human Rights Campaign stands as one of my proudest achievements. HRC has become one of the most influential LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations in the U.S., playing a critical role in securing marriage equality and other legal protections. I also helped found Victory Fund, which works to elect LGBTQ political candidates – when we started, there were almost none, and now there have been hundreds over the years. This has had an enormous impact on on LGBTQ rights in this country.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in doing your work?
The biggest challenge has always been resistance—whether from political opposition, societal biases, or internal divisions within the movement. Progress is never linear, and setbacks can be disheartening. However, persistence and coalition-building are essential to overcoming obstacles.
How can others help you in the work you are doing?
Get involved—whether by voting, supporting pro-equality candidates, donating to advocacy organizations, or simply being visible in your support for LGBTQ+ rights. Change happens when we come together as a community and demand action. What calls to action would you ask of our community? We must stay engaged in the political process, support policies that protect LGBTQ+ rights, and ensure that our voices are heard at every level of government. Activism isn’t just about big movements; it’s about everyday actions that push us closer to equality.
Looking at the current climate, what words of hope do you have for our community and what should we be most concerned about?
We’ve made tremendous progress, but challenges remain—whether it’s attacks on trans rights, efforts to roll back anti-discrimination protections, or the need for more inclusive representation. The hope lies in our resilience. We’ve overcome so much, and by standing together, we can continue pushing forward.
Who inspires you to keep fighting the good fight?
The activists and advocates who came before us, the young people stepping up today, and every person who refuses to back down in the face of adversity. It’s their courage and commitment that keep the fight for equality alive. We’ve done so much, but there are still 20 million evangelical households in the US, meaning there are millions of kids living in terror about their LGBTQ identity. When I was younger, that fear was so overwhelming and terrifying that I attempted suicide. I don’t want anyone to ever feel that way for who they are.
