PORTLAND, OR / ACCESS Newswire / September 18, 2025 / Terry Bean, now 77, has spent more than four decades building a legacy that stretches from grassroots activism in Oregon to national policy advocacy in Washington. Known as a co-founder of both the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, Bean's work has shaped the trajectory of LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. As he reflects on the victories and challenges of a lifetime, his message is clear: the fight for equality is not finished.

"Every generation inherits progress, but also unfinished business," Bean says. "What matters is what we choose to do with it."

From Protests to Policy

Bean's journey into activism began as a student at the University of Oregon in the late 1960s. Like many of his peers, he opposed the Vietnam War and joined demonstrations that taught him the power of collective action. That early exposure to organizing laid the foundation for a life dedicated to social justice.

By 1980, he helped co-found the Human Rights Campaign, giving the LGBTQ+ movement its first powerful foothold in Washington, D.C. A decade later, he co-founded the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund to ensure LGBTQ+ candidates could compete and win in elections. These organizations became permanent fixtures in the national conversation, building political strength that endures today.

"We realized that protesting was essential," Bean recalls, "but unless we translated that energy into policy, the victories wouldn't last. We needed to be inside the rooms where decisions were made."

The Measure 9 Battle

One of Bean's defining moments came in 1992, when Oregon faced Measure 9, a proposed constitutional amendment that would have defined homosexuality as "abnormal" and barred its discussion in schools. Bean responded by helping lead the campaign to defeat it. He raised over $1 million to fund ads, outreach, and organizing across the state. By uniting teachers, parents, business leaders, and faith communities, the campaign turned back what many feared would be a devastating blow to equality.

"That campaign taught me that people can be persuaded when they hear real stories," Bean says. "We put faces to the issue, and voters rejected fear in favor of fairness."

Measure 9's defeat became a national template for how to confront and win against discriminatory ballot initiatives.

National Leadership and Influence

Bean's activism never stopped at state borders. Through the Human Rights Campaign, he worked to press Congress and the White House on LGBTQ+ issues long before they became mainstream political concerns. With the Victory Fund, he helped train and support candidates who went on to serve in local councils, state legislatures, and even Congress. One of his proudest achievements remains the election of leaders like Tammy Baldwin, who became the first openly lesbian U.S. Senator. "Every LGBTQ+ person elected to office brings more than a vote," Bean says. "They bring lived experience that reshapes the conversation."

Bean also became a trusted fundraiser and strategist for Democratic candidates at the national level, playing a role in advancing progressive platforms that centered equality. His behind-the-scenes influence showed that effective activism often requires both visibility and quiet strategy.

Recognized but Restless

In 2008, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski declared August 23 as "Terry Bean Equality Day," recognizing his decades of work for LGBTQ+ rights. While grateful, Bean emphasizes that such honors should never signal an end to activism. "Recognition is nice, but responsibility is what matters," he says. "I never saw that proclamation as a capstone. I saw it as a reminder that the work continues."

Civil Rights in Today's America

At 77, Bean remains deeply engaged with the state of civil rights in the United States. He sees troubling parallels between current anti-LGBTQ+ efforts and earlier eras of backlash. Laws targeting transgender healthcare, LGBTQ+ books in schools, and nondiscrimination protections remind him that progress is never secure.

"Rights aren't permanent," he says. "They last only as long as we're willing to defend them." He calls on activists today to recognize that visibility, while important, is not enough. "A rainbow logo in June doesn't guarantee safety for a kid being bullied in school or a trans person denied healthcare," he says. "We need policy, not just symbolism."

Balancing Enterprise and Advocacy

Alongside his activism, Terry Bean has also led a distinguished career as President and CEO of Bean Investment Real Estate. Over four decades, he has managed the acquisition and sale of more than 20,000 housing units valued at over $1 billion. His success in business reflects his belief that ethics and profit are not mutually exclusive.

"I always approached business with the same principle I brought to activism: accountability," he says. "You honor your commitments, you earn trust, and you deliver results." Bean sees business as another arena where values can take root. Just as politics can advance justice, so too can enterprise-when leaders align their success with community impact.

Mentorship and the Next Generation

Much of Bean's current energy goes into mentoring younger activists and community leaders. He sees this as both a privilege and a responsibility, ensuring that the lessons of the past inform the strategies of the future. "Young leaders are brave and creative," he says. "But they don't need to reinvent the wheel. They can learn from what we got right, and just as importantly, from what we got wrong." He urges new activists to prioritize coalition-building, reminding them that LGBTQ+ rights do not exist in isolation. "The fight for justice is interconnected," he says. "When we stand with racial justice groups, women's rights advocates, and labor organizers, we build a movement that cannot be divided."

What Must Come Next

As he reflects on 40 years of advocacy, Bean's message for the future is unambiguous: activists must recommit to both grassroots power and national policy engagement. The energy of street protests must meet the persistence of political strategy. The symbolism of Pride must give way to policies that protect every LGBTQ+ person, especially those most vulnerable. "We've come too far to stop now," Bean says. "The next chapter is not about resting on our victories-it's about writing new ones. And that requires every one of us."

About Terry Bean

Terry Bean is a nationally recognized LGBTQ+ civil rights activist, strategist, and philanthropist. He co-founded the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, played a pivotal role in defeating Oregon's Measure 9, and has raised millions for progressive causes. In addition to his activism, he serves as President and CEO of Bean Investment Real Estate, where he has overseen more than $1 billion in transactions. Bean continues to mentor younger leaders and advocate for justice from his home in Portland, Oregon.

For more information about Terry Bean or Basic Rights Oregon and its ongoing efforts to promote equality, please visit www.basicrights.org.

For Media Inquiries: Bean Investment Real Estate
Portland, OR
Email: info@beanrealestate.com
Phone: (415) 494-4103

SOURCE: Terry Bean