OUTMemphis mourns the loss of Daniel Forrest, an advocate for LGBTQ people in the Mid-South whose work will continue to make an impact for years to come.

Daniel Forrest was a fierce advocate for LGBT people in the Mid-South, and over the course of his life he both started and supported many local efforts to make life better for members of our community. He is best known for his work as the President of Dream Factory, Inc and in his leadership positions with the Memphis Crisis Center and the Freedom Co-Op.

His work with OUTMemphis was no less important, and the impact he made here lives on past him. As early as 2008, Daniel Forrest was one of a committed group of volunteers at OUTMemphis (then called the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center). He worked with a small, dedicated group of Nike co-workers to keep the center staffed on Monday nights and bring in much-needed income through the volunteer hour matching program at Nike.

Daniel worked to help form what is now the Nike TN LGBT Friends Network and was one of the dreamers behind Queer Youth Field Day. Daniel Forrest may be gone from this Earth, but his legacy lives on at OUTMemphis. Rest in Peace.

From OUTMemphis and the LGBTQ community,

Rest in peace, Daniel.

To view the full obituary for Daniel Forrest, click here.