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| DAVID MIXNER (Getty Images) |
We didn't learn about David Mixner at Woodstown High School.
His name was left out of our history books, our political science books, our lessons about diversity and inclusion.
But our lives are better because of him.
No graduate of Woodstown High School has likely had more of an impact on civil rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, ending wars abroad (especially Vietnam), nuclear disarmament, or had more influence on a U.S. president than our own David Mixner.
Mixner died of complications from long COVID-19 at his home in Manhattan on Monday, March 11, 2024.
"David Mixner was a trailblazer in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and deeply dedicated to mentoring the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders fighting to create a better world," said Karine Jean-Pierre, press secretary for the White House. "Those of us doing this work today, myself included, owe him a debt of gratitude."
Mixner was born Aug. 16, 1946 and grew up in Elmer, N.J., according to a short biography by Claude J. Summers from 2010 for GLBTQ, Inc. Mixner's father worked as a farmer and his mother worked at a glass factory. His family encouraged him and his siblings to discuss current events and politics; and, even at a young age, it was clear Mixner was passionate about making the world a better place.
N.J. Governor Phil Murphy remarked: "David Mixner was a trailblazer for the LGBTQIA+ community, and a son of Salem County, who dedicated his life to building a more equitable world for every American. He was an icon, a true champion for justice, and a close personal friend."
While a student at Woodstown High School in the early 1960s, Mixner discovered the Civil Rights Movement and became passionate about injustices against African-Americans. He even sent what little money he had to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and remarked that he would "live the history of my times."
He certainly did.
After graduating from Woodstown in 1964, he attended Arizona State University where he was unrestricted from participating in civil rights activism (as he was greatly restricted by his family while living in Woodstown). He participated in anti-Vietnam War protests, civil rights marches, and even got involved in local politics, supporting the rights of city garbage workers.
Former Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg remarked: "I was saddened to hear of the passing of [Mixner], a tireless champion of human rights throughout his life. I was honored to have him join our 2009 re-election campaign as co-chair of our LGBTQ+ outreach, and to stand with him in the fight for marriage equality. He leaves an extraordinary legacy."
Mixner was soon met with tragedy in Arizona. During his time in university, Mixner fell in love with a fellow student whom he later referred to only as "Kit." Only a year into their relationship, Kit was killed in an automobile accident, and, since Kit's parents were unaware their son was gay (at a time when homosexuality was widely condemned and being 'out' was considered a great danger to oneself and family), Mixner was unable to grieve openly or attend his boyfriend's funeral.
Mixner left Arizona State and transferred to University of Maryland. Being near Washington D.C. gave him greater leverage as an activist.
In the 1970s, he began to join LGBTQ communities in the D.C. area, and, with the aid of therapy, began to come out as a gay man. The first friend he came out to was actress Shirley Maclaine, according to the biography in GLBTQ. She offered to house him in California, where he became a political fundraiser in San Francisco.
As the AIDS pandemic of the 1980s took the lives of many of his friends, he organized a campaign against Proposition 64, which would have required mandatory quarantine of people with AIDS. His campaign was successful and the proposition only received 30% of the vote.
In the 1990s, then-Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton called on Mixner for mentorship over gay and lesbian rights. Mixner joined Clinton's campaign in 1992 to gain the LGBT vote, which proved successful, and aided in the election of the 42nd president.
Mixner's relationship with Clinton during the presidency soured, however, with the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" act of 1993. He protested the policy, but later praised Clinton for the Ryan White AIDS legislation that increased funding for people suffering from AIDS.
His later work in the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s is too numerous to mention here, but it is no secret that Mixner never stopped or wearied in his activism.
Mixner's brutally hard work and dedication to civil rights made it a bit easier for those of us in the LGBTQIA+ community to exist, not just in accepting metropolitan areas, but in small communities like Woodstown where the tides of public opinion are changing and acceptance of LGBT people is growing.
I don't know what kind of life he experienced at Woodstown High, but if it was anything like mine in the face of homophobic bullies, I wish I could tell him now that life has improved here. It's not perfect. We have a long way to go. But, his legacy is not erased. Just look to the Woodstown Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) at Woodstown High School and Middle School as indication of something I wish existed when I was a student, and something I'm proud to see exists for today's generation.
His work, activism, and impact will be forever remembered throughout the United States.
His work, activism, and impact will be forever felt in towns like Elmer and Woodstown where he grew up.
His work, activism, and impact ought to be taught at Woodstown High.
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