Today, the Human Rights Campaign released the following statement mourning the loss of Cassidy Karakorn:

"The HRC Family is mourning the loss of our beloved colleague and friend, Cassidy Karakorn. Over her 17-year career at the Human Rights Campaign, Cassidy tirelessly championed civil rights for the LGBTQ community. As Director of Consumer Marketing, Cassidy's eye for fashion and art made a transformative impact on HRC and helped us reach more people than ever before. Her work was often deeply and profoundly moving; this past June, she worked with renowned artist Megan Geckler to bring to life an eight story public art installation remembering the 49 lives taken in the Pulse Nightclub shooting and other victims of hate violence.

"Cassidy was a vibrant and energetic force for change in the world. Her talents were boundless. Her creative genius and passion were unmatched. She was fun, caring, and her positivity was contagious. We loved her and loved working with her.

"Our hearts go out to Cassidy’s family and many friends who are grieving her loss. In every future effort, we will seek to make Cassidy proud, and will carry her memory with us always."

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Other projects Karakorn spearheaded during her tenure at HRC include Equality Rocks, Sweetlife Festival,  iO Tillett Wright’s Self Evident Truths project and HRC’s Instagram presence. She organized countless collaborations with designers and artists such as Heatherette, Kelly Towles, Marc Jacobs, Alex and Chloe, Kenneth Cole and Everlane.

Photo courtesy of Kate Warren