Victoria Brownworth, Pioneering Journalist, Author, and LGBTQ+ Advocate, Dies at 69: Remembering a Trailblazer Who Amplified Marginalized Voices and Transformed American Media
Victoria Brownworth, Pioneering Journalist, Author, and LGBTQ+ Advocate, Dies at 69: Remembering a Trailblazer Who Amplified Marginalized Voices and Transformed American Media
Victoria Brownworth, an award-winning journalist, author, editor, and pioneering LGBTQ+ rights advocate, passed away on May 22, 2025, in Philadelphia at the age of 69. Her death marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned over five decades, during which she became a powerful voice for justice, equity, and truth.(X (formerly Twitter))
Early Life and Education
Born in February 1956, Brownworth published her first book of poetry at the age of 18 and began writing for the Philadelphia Gay News at 17. She studied American studies and women’s history at Temple University and represented the university at the first National Women’s Studies Association. Near graduation, she became the star witness in the first federal police brutality trial in Philadelphia, an experience that propelled her into advocacy journalism. (Wikipedia)
Journalism Career
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Brownworth wrote numerous award-winning articles about AIDS in women, children, and people of color. She was the first person in the United States to write a column about lesbianism in a daily newspaper. She worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News and later became a host on Amazon Country on WXPN-FM, the first lesbian radio program in the United States. (Wikipedia)
Brownworth was a contributing editor for Curve and Lambda Literary Review and a regular contributor to SheWired, The Advocate, The Independent, and HuffPost. In 2010, she co-founded Tiny Satchel Press, a publishing company that printed young adult books featuring characters from systemically marginalized populations. (Wikipedia)
Literary Contributions
Brownworth authored and edited nearly 30 books, including the Lambda Literary Award-winning Ordinary Mayhem and Coming Out of Cancer: Writings from the Lesbian Cancer Epidemic. Her work often centered on themes of social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and women’s health. She was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and received numerous accolades for her contributions to literature and journalism. (Philadelphia Gay News)
Personal Life and Advocacy
Brownworth lived in Philadelphia with her partner, Maddy Gold. They met while attending the Philadelphia High School for Girls and had been living together for many years when, in 2014, Pennsylvania deemed the ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. Brownworth immediately proposed, and they were married in October of that year on their 15-year anniversary. Gold died of cancer on November 12, 2022. (Wikipedia)
Brownworth faced health challenges throughout her life, including a diagnosis of primary progressive multiple sclerosis in the early 1990s. She also battled breast cancer and heart issues. Despite these challenges, she continued to write and advocate for marginalized communities, often addressing issues related to disability rights and healthcare disparities. (Wikipedia)
Legacy and Impact
Victoria Brownworth’s passing is a significant loss to journalism and the LGBTQ+ community. Her fearless reporting, literary contributions, and unwavering advocacy have left an indelible mark on American media and social justice movements. She is remembered not only for her professional achievements but also for her compassion, resilience, and dedication to amplifying the voices of the marginalized.
Her work will continue to inspire future generations of journalists, writers, and activists committed to truth, equity, and justice.
Note: This obituary is based on publicly available information and aims to honor the life and legacy of Victoria Brownworth.
