Who not this woman? (Images via Time & New York)
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) died at her home Thursday evening, her office reports. She was 90.
It was she who, as president of the Board of Supervisors of San Francisco, informed a stunned city and nation that Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk had been assassinated by the cowardly Dan White. She told agog media:
As President of the Board of Supervisors, it is my duty to announce that both Mayor [George] Moscone and Supervisor [Harvey] Milk have been shot and killed. The suspect is Supervisor Dan White.
Feinstein became interim mayor and won re-election, serving three terms, the beginning of a long winning streak — one that lasted even beyond, arguably, her ability to do her job with her characteristic mental acuity. (It should be noted that at least one reason Feinstein stayed in the Senate so long is the fact that the GOP has made clear another Dem would not replace her in a timely manner on the Senate Judiciary Committee.)
Among the highlights of her legacy, Feinstein, considered a moderate Democrat, authored the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban and chaired both the Senate Rules Committee and Senate Intelligence Committee.
She was seen as pro-gay early on, but did veto domestic partner legislation in San Francisco in 1982. In context, she was still one of the most pro-gay (now pro-LGBTQ) public officials of her era. In 1971, she addressed a gay group of 600, speaking widely on topics including pornography (she was against it), whether gay groups should be allowed to rent public spaces (she apologized for having previously been against it) and whether she would support a gay person for public office (she said she would.) Vector reported extensively on the meeting.
Choice quotes:
On porn:
The gay community has provided a tremendous richness for the city and county of San Francisco. In the sciences, in the arts, in the professions, the city is richer and healthier because of the particular sensitivity and talents that you have brought. And I believe that pornography mocks this community and it mocks the legitimate aim of people who want to be creative, allowed to live their own life style, not derided, not made fun of, but respected as a constructive part of the community, which I happen to think you are.
On support a gay person for San Francisco Supervisor:
I wouldn't support him just because he was a homosexual. I think that the thing we are talking about is qualifications. If I thought he was qualified, I would support him.
On support for a gay person for public office:
A qualified candidate, of course. A known homosexual, of course. I think the problems only lie with the unknown — when put under pressure, this person becomes subject to blackmail ... Many people in public life have been blackmailed because of past inclinations or activities, and I think that as a known homosexual, you avoid this problem if you are honest with yourself and with the community. I have no hesitation in supporting a known homosexual.
On why so many politicians turned their backs on gays:
Poor judgment!
General support:
I want to see the gay community come more into the mainstream of the community.
