David Mixner, an esteemed LGBTQ+ activist and influential advisor to Bill Clinton, passed away at the age of 77.
His lifelong dedication to activism and equality began in his youth in Elmer, New Jersey, where he was raised in a working-class family. His engagement with activism started early, notably during his high school years when he supported the Civil Rights Movement and aspired to contribute to the significant societal changes of the 1960s.
Mixner’s activism intensified during his college years, where he engaged in various protests and movements, including civil rights and anti-war efforts. He played a pivotal role in the Eugene McCarthy presidential campaign, highlighting his knack for political organization and advocacy for change. His commitment extended to the Democratic National Convention in 1968, where he faced police violence that underscored his dedication to his causes.
In the 1970s, Mixner’s focus shifted towards LGBTQ+ rights, particularly as he became one of the founding members of the Municipal Elections Committee of Los Angeles (MECLA), a groundbreaking gay and lesbian political action committee. His involvement in the “NO on 6” campaign against Proposition 6 in California marked a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights and demonstrated his strategic acumen and commitment to equality.
Mixner’s activism was not limited to LGBTQ+ issues. In the 1980s, he turned his attention to global nuclear disarmament, illustrating the breadth of his commitment to various social justice issues. Despite facing challenges, including the less successful Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament, his resolve never waned.
The AIDS crisis in the 1980s further galvanized Mixner’s activism. His personal connection to the crisis, through his partner Peter Scott, deepened his involvement in advocacy and legislation to combat the epidemic. His efforts contributed significantly to California’s proactive approach to AIDS, setting a precedent for more aggressive action against the disease.
Mixner’s relationship with Bill Clinton showcased his influence in political circles, particularly during Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. As an advisor, Mixner advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, including the controversial issue of military service. His outspoken opposition to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, even when it cost him personally and professionally, underscored his commitment to his principles and the LGBTQ+ community.
I was lucky to know David Mixner a bit in those pivotal days in the early 90’s. He along with Jeremy Bernard, Diane Abbott, Dr. Scott Hitt and a number of others that created ANGLE here in Los Angeles and firmly launched Los Angeles gays and Lesbians as a million dollar political pac and a political force for the first in history. We went to the Democratic Convention with our heads up and our agenda in the party plank. Heady times. Of course, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell crushed us and we were betrayed. But we’ve not receded politically since then,… Read more »
David Mixner was brave beyond our current understanding of the word.
Agreed. David was full of fortitude, resolve and grit. He complemented those qualities with charm and wit and a fabulously bawdy chaser from time to time. David never demanded attention, he simply got it by being David and having a selfless narrative of promoting righteous change.
Mixner, as I recall, was a college roommate of Bill Clinton. That relationship gave our community unprecedented access after Clinton became President. Mixer turned LA into an epicenter of gay political power during the early nineties, convincing Clinton to embrace the issue of gays in the military which galvanized support for Clinton and involvement in a presidential campaign that had never occurred before. In 1992 I ran the West Hollywood Democratic campaign headquarters and the place was crazy with inspired volunteers, which was clearly due to Mixer’s influence. Locally, David, Dr. Scott Hitt and John Duran mobilized a whole generation… Read more »
David Mixner was a force without equal, a friend to many, and a fierce advocate. David made things happen through grit and determination. I remember dinners with David at Mark’s (fabulous old restaurant that was on La Cienega) and no one arrived or left without paying a visit to David. David’s place in history is cemented in our books. RIP, friend.
Rest in Peace