Joel M. Starkey was one of the pioneer gay activists in South Florida; he was the founder of The Southern Gay Archives (which later merged with Fort Lauderdale's Stonewall Library) and published The Southern Gay Liberator during the 1970's.
Born to working class parents near Boston, MA, Joel grew up in Hialeah, FL, and got his Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and an additional degree from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.
Joel Starkey was passionate about the struggle of Gay and Lesbian people for civil rights and equality. He was a feminist. He was a lifelong member of NOW. People who knew him only slightly thought he was a serious guy, but Joel had a fun side and liked to dance at discos and was also creative and artistic.
Sadly, learned he was afflicted with HIV/AIDS in 1986 put fought very hard to overcome it. According to an obituary in The Weekly News: "The greatest challenge of his life came when his employer, the Arvida Corp., attempted to take away most of his health insurance benefits, and even tried to fire him in spite of his superb employment record during 18 years of service to Arvida. Starkey responded to Arvida's despicable actions with vigor and determination. His case was championed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Lambda Legal Defense Fund. Ultimately Starkey triumphed ... and kept his job and his insurance."
Joel Starkey died at age 45 surrounded by family and friends, but is fondly remembered by South Florida G/L/B/T activists who carry on his work.
Born to working class parents near Boston, MA, Joel grew up in Hialeah, FL, and got his Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and an additional degree from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.
Joel Starkey was passionate about the struggle of Gay and Lesbian people for civil rights and equality. He was a feminist. He was a lifelong member of NOW. People who knew him only slightly thought he was a serious guy, but Joel had a fun side and liked to dance at discos and was also creative and artistic.
Sadly, learned he was afflicted with HIV/AIDS in 1986 put fought very hard to overcome it. According to an obituary in The Weekly News: "The greatest challenge of his life came when his employer, the Arvida Corp., attempted to take away most of his health insurance benefits, and even tried to fire him in spite of his superb employment record during 18 years of service to Arvida. Starkey responded to Arvida's despicable actions with vigor and determination. His case was championed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Lambda Legal Defense Fund. Ultimately Starkey triumphed ... and kept his job and his insurance."
Joel Starkey died at age 45 surrounded by family and friends, but is fondly remembered by South Florida G/L/B/T activists who carry on his work.
Joel M. Starkey was one of the pioneer gay activists in South Florida; he was the founder of The Southern Gay Archives (which later merged with Fort Lauderdale's Stonewall Library) and published The Southern Gay Liberator during the 1970's.
Born to working class parents near Boston, MA, Joel grew up in Hialeah, FL, and got his Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and an additional degree from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.
Joel Starkey was passionate about the struggle of Gay and Lesbian people for civil rights and equality. He was a feminist. He was a lifelong member of NOW. People who knew him only slightly thought he was a serious guy, but Joel had a fun side and liked to dance at discos and was also creative and artistic.
Sadly, learned he was afflicted with HIV/AIDS in 1986 put fought very hard to overcome it. According to an obituary in The Weekly News: "The greatest challenge of his life came when his employer, the Arvida Corp., attempted to take away most of his health insurance benefits, and even tried to fire him in spite of his superb employment record during 18 years of service to Arvida. Starkey responded to Arvida's despicable actions with vigor and determination. His case was championed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Lambda Legal Defense Fund. Ultimately Starkey triumphed ... and kept his job and his insurance."
Joel Starkey died at age 45 surrounded by family and friends, but is fondly remembered by South Florida G/L/B/T activists who carry on his work.
Born to working class parents near Boston, MA, Joel grew up in Hialeah, FL, and got his Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and an additional degree from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.
Joel Starkey was passionate about the struggle of Gay and Lesbian people for civil rights and equality. He was a feminist. He was a lifelong member of NOW. People who knew him only slightly thought he was a serious guy, but Joel had a fun side and liked to dance at discos and was also creative and artistic.
Sadly, learned he was afflicted with HIV/AIDS in 1986 put fought very hard to overcome it. According to an obituary in The Weekly News: "The greatest challenge of his life came when his employer, the Arvida Corp., attempted to take away most of his health insurance benefits, and even tried to fire him in spite of his superb employment record during 18 years of service to Arvida. Starkey responded to Arvida's despicable actions with vigor and determination. His case was championed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Lambda Legal Defense Fund. Ultimately Starkey triumphed ... and kept his job and his insurance."
Joel Starkey died at age 45 surrounded by family and friends, but is fondly remembered by South Florida G/L/B/T activists who carry on his work.
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