In 1984, Katherine “Kit” Duffy became Chicago’s first liaison to the gay and lesbian community, working for Mayor Harold Washington. At the time, AIDS was just making headlines and was associated with LGBT issues. Facing fear and homophobia, Duffy, who was straight, fought for AIDS education along with equality and fairness.

She died last month, December 2015, of heart problems at age 71.

According to her obituary in the Chicago Sun-Times, Duffy’s activism and sense of social justice stemmed from growing up in Maryland and witnessing racism and discrimination.

While serving as the LGBT liaison to Chicago’s mayor, she also became the first executive director of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

She remained a political strategist in the city and acted as a mentor to future activists and politicians. In 2008, she was inducted in Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.

Duffy was divorced and had no children. Instead of a funeral, she asked to be remembered with a party at one of Boystown’s gay bars, with showtunes and lip-sync contests.