This quote by the late, great Bruce Bastian strikes at the heart of the profound power of the LGBTQ+ community — that just by showing up as our genuine selves, we can create meaningful change. As friends and colleagues recall Bruce Bastian’s life and his incredible work at HRC, they also remember how he lived into these words, embracing his contagious authenticity for a greater good. Bruce Bastian passed away on June 16, 2024, and is survived by his husband Clint Ford, his four sons and the many friends who have been touched by his kindness and generosity.

The LGBTQ+ equality movement also mourns the loss of a powerhouse political adviser and HRC’s first non-LGBTQ+ co-chair of the board, Mike Berman. Mike Berman’s genuine and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place and supporting the LGBTQ+ community has resulted in many milestone victories in the fight for equality, leaving a lasting impression on the fabric of this organization. Mike Berman passed away on January 12, 2024, and is survived by his wife Debbie Cowan, his two stepsons, a stepdaughter, two sisters and the countless others impacted by his incredible work.

Bastian and Berman leave behind undeniably rich legacies as true giants in this fight for LGBTQ+ equality — their shoulders have carried us closer to a better future for the LGBTQ+ community.

Bruce Bastian was born in 1948 in Twin Falls, Idaho. He received his master’s degree in computer science from Brigham Young University, leading to a successful career as a tech entrepreneur and co-founder of the internationally renowned word processor program, WordPerfect. After the launch of his company, Bastian made the courageous decision to come out to his family as gay, despite his conservative Mormon upbringing. In doing so, Bastian took his first step toward a decades-long career in LGBTQ+ advocacy, where his efforts and contributions resulted in numerous advancements in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality.

In 1997, Bastian founded the B.W. Bastian Foundation, providing grants to LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations and HIV & AIDS programs. He expanded the rights of his fellow LGBTQ+ Utahns, supporting state-based organizations like Equality Utah, the Utah Pride Center and the Utah AIDS Foundation. Joining HRC’s Board of Directors in 2003, Bastian helped HRC create lasting connections with Utah’s LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, as co-chair, Bastian lobbied on behalf of HRC’s marriage equality initiatives, including fighting the Federal Marriage Amendment and repealing Prop. 8. His strategic input and tireless commitment were instrumental in enacting federal marriage equality protections, marking a major victory in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality.

Mike Berman was born in 1939 in Duluth, Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a law degree and launched a successful career as an esteemed political adviser and lobbyist, co-founding the Duberstein Group in the late 1980s. Berman joined HRC’s Board of Directors, where his expertise, wisdom and unwavering allyship were valuable assets to the organization. He served as the first non-LGBTQ+ co-chair of the board and as a key adviser to HRC leadership, supporting them through some of the most difficult moments facing the LGBTQ+ community. He helped advance important political initiatives, brought in political connections at the highest level and bolstered the power of the HRC’s work and the LGBTQ+ equality movement as a whole.

“The losses today will eventually turn into wins. We just have to take time.”

Bastian’s words illuminate the foundational hope that drives our work for LGBTQ+ equality forward. Despite the hatred and extremism the LGBTQ+ community faces, despite the loss of two giants in this fight, there will be a better world just around the corner. We honor Bruce Bastian and Mike Berman by remembering the invaluable lessons they’ve taught us, by continuing on the path they’ve paved, always reaching for that brighter future.