Long-time LGBT community activist Ken Jacobsen Jr. passed away on Saturday, Sept. 27.
Jacobsen served as a member of the Advisory Council on Gay and Lesbian Issues (ACGLI) of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, and founded a former Northwest Side gay and lesbian association. In the late ’80s, he helped fight for the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance, which passed in 1988. He was also very involved in the local leather community.
According to a recent Chicago Tribune article, Jacobsen was diagnosed last January with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Activist Darrell Gordon was one of Jacobsen’s best friends. He said that in addition to being dedicated to the local community, Jacobsen was clever and had a terrific sense of humor.
‘He always was a fighter for what was fair, whether it was his work in queer politics or grassroots community work or his involvement in the leather community,’ Gordon said.
Jacobsen, a fan of comic books and superheroes (especially Batman), was involved in the community in a number of ways. In addition to serving on ACGLI, he was a precinct captain for a short period of time. Jacobsen was also the former president of the Leather Archives & Museum.
A visitation will be held on Monday, Sept. 29, at Cooney Funeral Home, 3918 W. Irving Park Rd., from 3-9 p.m.
A funeral will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Cooney Funeral Home, at 10 a.m.