I am simply heartbroken about Keith being taken from us far too soon, with far too much good yet to be done.  I cannot fathom being a gay rights activist, a feminist, and a progressive in Oklahoma without him.  Keith, you were an inspiration, a mentor, and a friend - and I will miss you. 

Laura Belmonte

President, Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights

---

Although acquainted with Keith, I only once had a conversation with him.  But I was very familiar with his activities on behalf of vital causes.  I am grateful for his life and his constant efforts on behalf of us all.  What will we do without him?

 "The evil that is in the world always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence, if they lack understanding. On the whole men are more good than bad; that, however, isn't the real point. But they are more or less ignorant, and it is this that we call vice or virtue; the most incorrigible vice being that of an ignorance which fancies it knows everything and therefore claims for itself the right to kill. There can be no true goodness, nor true love, without the utmost clear-sightedness."--Camus

Harold E. Hill

---

I've  attached a photo of Keith Smith. I would guess it is from the early 1980's

dkueter@cox.net

---

Article appearing on www.newsok.com website

Keith B. Smith, a lobbyist and gay rights activist, died Monday of pneumonia. He was 51.

Smith, an Oklahoma City resident, served on the board of directors for National Stonewall Democrats, a grassroots network of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender activists within the Democratic Party.

He represented a region including Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Arkansas. He was Oklahoma's first openly gay delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

He also was co-chairman of the Central Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats, one of 90 chapters across the country.

In 2004, Smith was a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union challenging a proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman. The lawsuit failed to keep the marriage amendment off the ballot, and it passed with overwhelming support.

As a lobbyist, Smith's clients included Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and the Sierra Club.

Incoming Sen. Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, and former Sen. Bernest Cain, D-Oklahoma City, issued statements after Smith's death commending him for his political endeavors.

"Keith was tireless and determined in his efforts to speak for those who otherwise would have no voice in the legislative process," Rice said.

"His energy was boundless, and he felt that one of the most important duties of every citizen was to become active in the political process," Cain said.

Smith is survived by his mother, Berda Murrow, and three brothers, Craig, Kurt and Kyle Smith.

Services are pending with OK Cremation and Mortuary Service, Oklahoma City.

---

Civil rights activist Keith Smith dies
http://www.tulsaworld.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Keith Smith, a civil rights activist and lobbyist, died Monday. He was 51.

Services are pending with OK Cremation & Mortuary Service.

Smith was born March 3, 1955, in Alva. He and his three brothers were raised by their mother, Verda Smith, and his childhood poverty was one thing that led him to his work.

Smith was a founding member of the Progressive Alliance Foundation, which brought together various organizations with similar aims to form a lobbying force.

He was the founder and president of the Smith Group, which lobbied for the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Oklahoma Policy Consortium for People with Disabilities, the National Association of Social Workers and various gay and lesbian organizations.

He was a founding member of the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus. He was a member of the Stonewall Democrats' national board and was co-chairman of the Central Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats.

Smith worked with the Appleseed Foundation to pass anti-bullying legislation in Oklahoma, and every legislative session he played a role in blocking an average of 20 pieces of legislation that would have restricted women's right to abortions.
Tulsa World Sports Extra

"The women of Oklahoma lost their greatest advocate," said Linda Gray Murphy, a close friend of Smith's. "It will take a lot of people to make up for it."

Smith was known as a generous man who frequently donated either his services or his money to causes he supported.

"He was always giving, giving, giving," said Nancy Kachel, president of Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.

Smith is survived by his mother, Verda Smith of Alva; and three brothers, Craig Smith of Colorado, Kurt Smith of Montana and Kyle Smith of Alva.

---

Lloyd Fields, gordon Holmes, Keith Smith, and Linda Gray Murphy

Lisa Pryor, Betty McEldberry, and Keith Smith