Lanza, Ron

In June 1985, David Lamble wrote an article for Coming Up! looking back at the previous decade's campaign by gay and lesbian teachers in San Francisco to win an anti-discrimination policy (which was finally approved by the Board of Education, after a heated battle, in June 1975). There was a trio of teacher activists: Hank Wilson, Tom Ammiano and Ron Lanza. This is what Lanza said of his life as a high school economics teacher in early 1970s Concord, California: It was very closeted, of course. I had a lover. I used to leave my house and commute -- it was thirty-two miles from my door to the classroom, but it was like a million light years away. For six or seven years I was able to juggle that: everybody played the game that I was the San Francisco bachelor, sort of the swinging bachelor image for both the faculty and the students. I, of course, went along with it, because it was the perfect cover.

Just today I listened to an interview Ron Lanza gave to The Gay Life radio show in 1979, which I found on the GLBT Historical Society website. The interview was taped shortly after Harvey Milk and Mayor Moscone were killed, and in it Ron speaks about this tradegy, as well as his experiences as an openly gay school teacher and his desire to run for mayor of San Francisco. I was struck by his enthusiasm for justice and equality at a time when gay rights were under attack. In reading his obituary, it's clear that Ron continued his involvement and passion for the gay community throughout his life.

Ron was a hero. One of our great gay elders. Lucky to be his fan at Josie's, his limo customer and neighbor. You are missed deeply.

I met Ron in the summer of 1982, as classmates at A.C.T., with the late Sydney Walker as our acting teacher. Ron was very handsome, distinguished and sexy looking. I was 31 and had a deep crush on him, but I though he was too old for me at 48 years of age. LOL!!! How times change our perspective! He was so kind to me and hired me as a waiter at THE VALENCIA ROSE CAFE, which he owned, a former mortuary. I used to get a bit spooked, at first, by all the ramps in the back of this establishment that were used to convey all the stiffs about. I still remember him looking a bit uncomfortable in his leotards at the back of our dance class, taught by John Pasqualetti. One of our classmates was Debbie Manheim (aka as the well known actress, Camryn Manheim) and a gorgeous 22 year old named John Stewart. Ron was a great men, truly one of a kind, with integrity and a deep compassion for animals and humans. I, too, share hsi love for animals in particular strays and unwanted ones. I have two adopted dogs now. I will miss you til I see you again, Ron! Cheers!!