At D.I.D.’s annual fundraiser, from left, Charles Leslie, proudly displaying his Lifetime
Achievement Award, Councilmember Erik Bottcher and former Councilmember
Kathryn Freed.
(Photo by The Village Sun)
With Pride, Downtown Independent Democrats honors Charles W. Leslie
BY LINCOLN ANDERSON | At their annual fundraisers, the Downtown Independent Democrats usually honor a prominent politician, along with an activist or maybe two in labor or community issues.
Last December, the club — which was marking its 50th anniversary — also honored one of its own early members, Charles W. Leslie, with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
Leslie, 90, was a prominent activist in Soho in the 1960s and ’70s. In 1977, with the backing of D.I.D., a Reform Democratic club, he campaigned for district leader, becoming one of the first openly gay candidates to run for office in the U.S., following Harvey Milk and Jim Owles.