Portland, Oregon – Over the past four decades, Terry Bean has helped shape the course of LGBTQ+ rights in America. From organizing grassroots campaigns in Oregon to raising millions for pro-equality political candidates—including a U.S. president—Bean’s impact on the movement is undeniable. As a co-founder of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, he has worked to ensure LGBTQ+ individuals have not only a voice in the political process but also a seat at the table in positions of power.
His efforts have played a key role in advancing LGBTQ+ representation in politics, electing openly gay officials, and pushing for policies that have changed lives across the nation. With decades of experience in activism, strategic fundraising, and political engagement, Bean’s legacy is one of action—one that continues to inspire new generations of leaders.
The Early Years: A Grassroots Fighter in Oregon
Terry Bean’s journey as an activist began long before LGBTQ+ rights became a mainstream political issue. Born and raised in Oregon, he became involved in progressive activism during his college years at the University of Oregon, where he studied political science. In the 1970s, as the LGBTQ+ community faced deep societal discrimination, Bean recognized the urgent need to bring visibility and political power to the fight for equality.
During the early years of his advocacy, Bean worked at the grassroots level to organize protests, lobby for local policy changes, and build networks of activists determined to change the political landscape. He saw firsthand the obstacles LGBTQ+ individuals faced—not just in their personal lives but in their ability to be heard in political spaces.
“We were fighting to prove that we deserved the same rights as everyone else,” Bean recalls. “Back then, there were no major organizations lobbying on our behalf in Washington, no openly LGBTQ+ politicians in Congress. We had to start from the ground up.”
Founding the Human Rights Campaign
Determined to create a lasting infrastructure for LGBTQ+ political influence, Bean co-founded the Human Rights Campaign in 1980. At a time when the LGBTQ+ community had little representation in government, HRC was created to be the political arm of the movement, focusing on fundraising, lobbying, and advocacy.
The goal was clear: ensure that LGBTQ+ issues were no longer ignored in Washington, D.C. Through early fundraising efforts, Bean and his colleagues built one of the first major political action committees (PACs) dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights. This allowed HRC to financially support candidates who backed equality, ensuring that those in power were allies, not adversaries.
“HRC was founded because we knew we had to fight politics with politics,” Bean explains. “If we wanted real change, we needed to be in the room where decisions were being made. We needed lawmakers to know we were watching, organizing, and ready to support those who stood with us.”
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund: Electing LGBTQ+ Leaders
While HRC focused on advocating for pro-LGBTQ+ candidates, Bean recognized another gap: the absence of openly LGBTQ+ politicians in office. In 1991, he co-founded the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, an organization dedicated to financially backing LGBTQ+ candidates and providing them with the resources needed to run and win elections.
At the time, few LGBTQ+ politicians dared to run openly, fearing voter backlash and political isolation. The Victory Fund changed that by proving that LGBTQ+ candidates could compete and win. The organization’s early efforts helped elect trailblazers like Tammy Baldwin, who became the first openly LGBTQ+ woman in Congress, and later, the first openly gay U.S. senator.
“The Victory Fund was about more than just getting candidates elected—it was about changing perceptions,” Bean says. “It sent a message that LGBTQ+ individuals could hold positions of power, shape policy, and represent their communities just like anyone else.”
Defeating Oregon Measure 9: A Turning Point for the Movement
In 1992, one of the most defining moments in Bean’s activism came when he helped lead the campaign to defeat Oregon Measure 9. The measure, introduced by the Oregon Citizens Alliance, sought to amend the state constitution to label homosexuality as “abnormal” and “perverse,” paving the way for legalized discrimination.
Recognizing the national implications of the measure, Bean played a key role in raising over $1 million to fund opposition efforts, making it one of the most well-financed LGBTQ+ political battles of its time. The campaign successfully mobilized voters, defeating Measure 9 and preventing Oregon from setting a dangerous precedent for anti-LGBTQ+ policies across the country.
“That victory showed us what was possible,” Bean reflects. “It proved that when we organize, when we invest in our fight, and when we make our voices heard, we can defeat even the most well-funded and hateful opposition.”
A Key Political Fundraiser: Supporting Pro-Equality Leaders
Beyond grassroots activism and organizational leadership, Bean has played a significant role in political fundraising, using economic influence to advance LGBTQ+ rights. His ability to mobilize financial support has helped elect leaders who prioritize equality, including President Barack Obama, for whom Bean was a key fundraiser during the 2008 campaign.
By financially backing progressive candidates, Bean has helped shape policy at the highest levels, ensuring that LGBTQ+ issues remain a priority in national discussions. He believes that political fundraising is not just about money—it’s about building power.
“Money in politics is a reality, and if we ignore that, we lose,” Bean says. “Every dollar raised is a tool to fight discrimination, elect allies, and push forward policies that protect our community. That’s why I’ve always focused on fundraising as a strategy for change.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of LGBTQ+ Political Advocacy
Despite the progress made, Bean warns that the fight is far from over. With a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation emerging in multiple states and ongoing attempts to roll back rights, he stresses that vigilance and continued investment in political advocacy are more important than ever.
“The opposition hasn’t disappeared—they’ve just changed tactics,” Bean says. “We need to stay engaged, support candidates who stand for equality, and ensure that the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders has the resources they need to succeed.”
He sees the future of LGBTQ+ political advocacy as one that must focus not just on defending rights but expanding them. From ensuring federal protections against discrimination to pushing for more LGBTQ+ representation in government, Bean believes the work must continue at all levels.
A Lasting Legacy
As he reflects on his decades of activism, Bean remains committed to the principles that have guided him since the beginning: strategic action, political engagement, and financial investment in the fight for equality. His efforts have helped build an infrastructure that will continue long after him, ensuring that LGBTQ+ individuals have the political power needed to shape their future.
“My goal was never just to fight for change—it was to help create a system that can keep fighting long after I’m gone,” Bean says. “That’s what real progress looks like.”
About Terry Bean
Terry Bean is a pioneering LGBTQ+ rights advocate, political strategist, and business leader. He co-founded the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, helping to shape the political landscape for LGBTQ+ representation. In 1992, he played a key role in defeating Oregon Measure 9, a landmark victory against anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. As a major political fundraiser, he has supported countless pro-equality candidates, ensuring LGBTQ+ rights remain a national priority. Today, he continues to champion political advocacy, social change, and equal representation for all.
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