In Memoriam: Senator Paul Wellstone

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, or GLSEN, mourns the loss of a true friend to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and staff and their allies, Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone of Minnesota.

The Associated Press reports that Wellstone was killed in a plane crash in northern Minnesota on Friday along with his wife, daughter and five others.

"America lost a voice of conscience today", said Kevin Jennings, GLSEN Executive Director. "He leaves behind a legacy of legislative efforts to ensure that LGBT people have full civil rights. We are deeply saddened by this loss."

Senator Wellstone was a consistent champion of civil rights in general and LGBT rights in particular. Wellstone was a key voice for LGBT youth when he questioned President Bush’s nominee for Secretary of Education regarding his views on what the department should be doing for LGBT youth.

Additionally, Wellstone was responsible for legislation calling for a study of the impact of school-based bias on LGBT youth and the effectiveness of the Department of Education's effort to respond to that bias.