Midge Costanza, aide to Pres. Carter, ardent feminist and gay rights activist, dies of cancer

[Liberty Belle]

http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/2977

I have met Midge, been to her candidate trainings, and thought she was one of the strongest and most amazing women I have ever met. They broke the mold when they made Midge, God love her.

Where are the strong voices like Midge today? I don't see women (or men) who are willing to openly fight for reproductive rights. She sacrificed her White House career essentially for her outspokenness, tirelessly advocating for a woman's right to choose.

What a contrast against the stupid Stupeks of our day.

Democrats, please stop supporting the party until it agrees to refuse to back anyone who is anti-choice! I repeatedly tell DCCC fundraisers who call me that I will never again give to a party that supports anti-choice candidates. Instead, my money is going directly to pro-choice candidates.

[katandmoon]

1. K&R for Midge and RIP :( I too will only donate to pro-choice candidates

[DURHAM D]

2. Thanks for posting.

The article downplays her importance as the first openly gay person appointed to a White House position. For the gay rights movement it was a giant surprise that Carter was that openly supportive and for those of us not in California, New York, or DC Midge was our true hero.

Her presence on the national stage not only gave the fledging GLBT movement more legitimacy - it gave all of us more courage.

[Liberty Belle]

3. Are you sure Midge is gay?

I never saw that in print or heard it anywhere, and I've often heard Midge make jokes about men that certainly sounded like she was attracted to them (and quite possibly bedded some of them!)

[equality1975]

4. re:

It's interesting that immediately upon her passing people are trying to apply labels that Midge refused to accept, acknowledge, or discuss publicly during her life.

Some people willfully defy labeling, and I would wager to say that Midge was one of those people. She fought for human equality, and didn't give a damn about what box a person checked on the various questionnaires used to try to corral us into neat little countable groups.