News Editor

Retired CSU Bakersfield professor Nancy Bailey died on June 25 in San Francisco, Calif. at the age of 78.

However, her dedication to fighting for gay rights in Bakersfield has left an indelible impact on the community.

“She was larger than life, and one of the pioneers for the LGBT community in Bakersfield,” said Jan Hefner, long time friend and member of the Gay & Lesbian Center of Bakersfield. “She was out and proud in a time when very few people were, and she was sunny and welcoming to all people, regardless of their sexual orientation. Her leadership and determination that LGBT people be accepted helped to create the foundation that enabled the Gay & Lesbian Center of Bakersfield the ability to open its doors in 2011.”

Bailey was a dedicated activist to the LGBTQ community for over 40 years. She dedicated her life to mentoring and fighting for the LGBTQ community.

Chair of Bakersfield LGBTQ Whitney Weddell said Bailey was a gay rights advocate from “the get-go” in Bakersfield.

Though the cause of her death is yet to be determined, Bailey did deal with health issues in her past.

Bailey died during San Francisco’s Pride Weekend.

Bailey first earned a degree at the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1964, followed by a doctorate in physical education at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro in 1974, and a master’s in counseling at CSUB in 1980.

She began her teaching career in the physical education department at CSUB in 1974 and retired from teaching in 2001.

Bailey had no children and was not married but was in a relationship with her partner Suzan Rollins for several years in San Francisco.

Bailey also served as a member of the California Teachers Association Gay and Lesbian Task Force and was a member of the Caucus.

Bailey ran for mayor in 1984, back when gay rights were not taken seriously.

She received 26 percent of the votes.

Weddell said she went to all of the debates, raised questions to the public and wrote letters to the editors to stand up for the gay community.

“If there was anyone braver than Nancy Bailey, I have not met them,” said Weddell.

Before her passing, Bailey asked her friends and family to hold a party because she was “all about the party.”

The date for Bailey’s service is still unknown but Weddell said that there would be some type of service in her honor.