William E. Woods, “the father of Hawaii’s gay rights movement,” dies

William E. Woods, gay rights, community and political activist, died early yesterday after a long illness.

He would have been 59 on Oct. 9.

Regarded as “the father of Hawaii’s gay rights movement,” Woods came to Hawaii in 1969 from Illinois.

He founded what is now known as the Gay and Lesbian Center and was its executive director for 17 years. He also founded and directed the Gay and Lesbian Education and Advocacy Foundation since 1990.

Woods married Lance W. Bateman on Aug. 31, 2003, in Vancouver, Canada.

He had long fought for passage of legislation to allow same-sex marriages in Hawaii.

Woods earned a master’s degree in public health administration at the University of Hawaii and held various public health positions for many years, retiring about 12 years ago, Bateman said. He was past president of the UH School of Public Health Alumni Association and was trying to get the dismantled school restored.

Woods and Bateman both served on the Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board and Woods was chairman for several terms. He resigned about three months ago because of his health, said Bateman.

Gay activist fought for civil rights
Honolulu Star Bulletin