Gay Rights Supporter Stephanie Tubbs Jones Dies After Aneurysm

UPDATE: Family confirms Rep. Tubbs Jones' death.

Very tragic news. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones—the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress and one of the strongest pro-gay voices in Congress—dies after suffering an aneurysm. Throughout the day, Tubbs Jones was on life support and was not expected to recover.

During the recent Democratic presidential primary, Tubbs Jones was a prominent fixture on television as one of the co-chairs and most visible supporters of the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign. The five-term Democrat was a vocal supporter of LGBT rights, consistently earned a 100% rating by the Human Rights Campaign for her pro-gay-rights stance, and, a recipient of the HRC Equality Award

Earlier this afternoon, Tubbs Jones' condition was updated after numerous media—including The Cleveland Plain Dealer on its Web, CNN and the Associated Press—erroneously reported that Tubbs Jones had died.

Doctors say last night the 58-year-old conngresswoman had a "very serious brain hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm that burst in an inaccessible part of her brain." Police said the congresswoman had been driving erratically and her vehicle crossed lanes of traffic before coming to a stop. Tubbs Jones was rushed to Huron Hospital and later died.

Tubbs Jones, elected in 1998, was to be a superdelegate at next week's Democratic National Convention in Denver. She represented Cleveland's 11th District, chaired the ethics committee in the House, and, was the first black woman to serve on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. During her time in office, Tubbs Jones voted "against banning gay adoptions in DC, strongly favored same-sex domestic partnership benefits, fought for increased funding for AIDS treatment & prevention and supported more funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes."

Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a friend to our community. Here is a statement from her family. Please send them our prayers. Truly the Democratic party and we, the country, lost a real gem today.

Comments

[Collin]

This is devastating. Stephanie Tubbs Jones is my congressman. This is truly a tragedy.

[ACF]

A very strong and remarkable black woman. I wish her the very best. Hopefully she will survive.

[Jerome]

I heard Tubbs Jones died. Which is it?

[Fred]

Good lord Almighty, this has been a horrible month for our black community. They say death comes in threes. What a remarkable woman who has reached remarkable success. May she rest in peace. She will be missed. :(

[Lee]

wow...we have lost a lot of folks over the last month or so. My prayers are with her family!

[Jose]

We have lost one amazing woman. I am so sad.

[Albert]

We can't afford to lose the good ones, there are too few of them. She was one of the good ones.

[A. Ronald]

I was hoping for another miracle like Tim Johnson....may she rest in peace, cradled in her Father's arms. Peace and God Bless.

[Antonia]

I admired her courage. She never relented from her committment for Hillary Clinton. I have always liked her and enjoyed watching her speak. She knew her stuff. She will be missed dearly. One of my favorite women politicians. This is very sad indeed.

[atl kid]

Stephanie Tubbs Jones was also one of my favorite politicians. I remember hearing an interview with her on NPR some time back and just being marvelously impressed with her. Congress and the country are worse off tonight for her loss.

[atl kid]

Let me also say that she was a terrific advocate for black people, for gays, for progressive causes and was the fiercest supporter of Hillary Clinton. I'm heartsick today. Such a loss. My heart goes out to her family, friends and constituents.

RIP, Ms Tubbs-Jones. Thanks for all you've done!

[BL]

Stephanie Tubbs Jones was atrue pioneer. Tubbs Jones, whose mother was a factory worker and father a skycap at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, is proud of achieving a number of "firsts" among black women. She was the first to serve as a common pleas judge in Ohio. She was the first to serve as Cuyahoga County's prosecutor. She was the first to serve as a member of Congress from Ohio, the first to join the House Ways and Means Committee, and the first to chair the Ethics Committee.

[Veronica]

STJ seemed unstoppable. My best wishes to her family. I'm just stunned.

[seanndc]

So Sad. A true friend and stalwart supporter.

[Justin S]

I am completely shocked and very sad about this tragic story. Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a force in Congress... She was Cleveland and Delta Sigma Theta EVERYDAY in Congress. She is truly irreplaceable. This is the 3rd Black Congresswoman that we've lost in the 110th Congress.

My prayers are with her family, her constituents, Delta Sigma Theta and especially her son. He has now lost both of his parents, his father died in 2003.

Rest in Peace STJ!

[Taylor Siluwé]

Truly sad. Yes, she was a fixture during the primaries and is a huge loss to the political world and our community.

She was one of those rare politicians who seemed to also be one of US as well, a real down to earth person and not one to talk out of the side of her face.

I wish her family strength.

[Oliver]

I'm stunned and saddened by the loss. First there was Millender McDonald in California, then Carson in Indiana and now Stephanie. Our community has lost a great friend and ally.