San Diego LGBT activist and blogger Mike Tidmus lost the battle to cancer Sunday, passing away at the age of 60.
Tidmus’ sister, announced via Mike’s Facebook page: “My name is Lindsay Tidmus, Mike’s brother. It is with a heavy heart that I inform his Facebook friends of Mike’s passing. He left us this morning after a battle with cancer.”
Tidmus was a self-described “brat” originally from Toronto, Ontario, eventually settling down in San Diego, California. Tidmus was known for his contributions to the LGBT community from his blog about civil rights, equality, and awareness.
Personal friend and openly gay Republican presidential candidate Fred Karger responded to Tidmus death with reflection and sadness:
Mike was an early leader in LGBT civil right internationally and right here at home. He was a cantankerous guy with a great wit and sense of humor. He battled HIV-AIDS for nearly 25 years and finally lost that battle today. He was so disappointed with the poor HIV-AIDS care in San Diego and worked to try and improve it. He was courageous to the end and, fought like he did all his life, to make things better for others.
Karger added, “I will miss Mike greatly. He was a source of incredible inspiration and will live on an so many of us. RIP Mike Tidmus.”
