Life is full of moments that stop us in our tracks. Moments that shock us, disorient us and leave us disconnected from the reality we have used to define ourselves.  

 

Jeff Robinson passed away on March of 2022. In an instant, we lost one of the strongest voices and leaders in our Central Valley LGBTQ community. It was sudden and a surprise. The news rippled through the community and devastated so many.  

 

What didn’t Jeff do for the LGBTQ Community? He was CEO of Community Link Inc., a local non-profit, which also ran the Gray Alliance, published the local LGBTQ paper the Newslink, organized and ran local LGBTQ sports groups, ran the Youth Group that was a haven for so many young community members, hosted “It’s a Queer Thang”, a monthly LGBTQ themed radio show, headed Qistory which chronicles the history of the LGBTQ community in the Central Valley, was an Emperor of the Imperial Dove Court and was the man behind the Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival which has now been serving Fresno for over 30 years. The accomplishments go on and on, with virtually everyone in the community knowing who Jeff was and what he gave back.  

 

I’ve been an LGBTQ activist in this community for almost 20 years. As such, I’ve worked with Jeff on a number of projects over the years. Not only were we always in the same circles but eventually we came together to pool our resources and work together over and over to benefit the community. I’ve written more articles than I can count for Newslink, guested on Jeff’s radio show many times and when Jeff asked me to step in and become part of his project Qistory, I agreed. At first, I hesitated. I’d just closed the Fresno LGBTQ Community Center, which had served the community for over 7 years. I’d worked as a founder of a local LGBTQ nonprofit for over 9 years, and I’d been active nonstop on so many projects over the years that I was exhausted.  

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Something about Jeff’s resistance to burnout inspired me. That, coupled with my passion for the LGBTQ history, prompted me to agree to a meeting. That meeting turned into a partnership with Jeff and others who were already on board with Qistory.  

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Jeff and I weren’t always close. I came onto the scene much later than he did. And Jeff had a “resting bitch face” that made it appear that you shouldn’t go anywhere near him. That was intimidating. So, it took me a while to learn how to navigate him not as someone in the community, but as another leader. Eventually, we became close and were able to get past the things that so often, given gossip and inuendo in our community and many others, tend to push us away from each other.  

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My relationship with Jeff was strongest on two fronts. One was truth. If you ever challenged Jeff you’d better make sure you brought your A game. Because Jeff knew his stuff. He did his research, and he knew the facts. If you challenged Jeff on the facts, you’d lose. I live my life on the truth. I will always research the facts and I don’t want to debate you unless I have the facts in my back pocket. Jeff was the same. And if we didn’t know all the facts, we’d do the work. Politics was a favorite of Jeff’s, and of mine. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you shouldn’t discuss politics. The reason Jeff talked about it was because politics is not defined by the latest mantra of acceptance. Politics is about civil rights, women’s rights, gender equality, trans rights, laws and taxes. The reason Jeff never walked away from politics is because he understood the impact it had on all our lives. Don’t forget that. Don’t be blinded by the latest double speak that politics is nothing but aggravated debate.  

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Our other commonality was LGBTQ history. We both understood that especially in the Central Valley, if our histories weren’t documented, they were likely to be lost. The instant we came together on the project Qistory was the moment I saw the light in Jeff’s eyes when we discussed the timelines, stories and photographs that were the foundation of others in our community. We had many a conversation about how important it was to be the historians of a community that was so often overlooked and ignored. 

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It's not easy being a leader. I think when we looked at Jeff so many of us assumed it was easy for him. He did so much and so often. He was ubiquitous. He was always there, and we didn’t usually question how all this work was for Jeff. In fact, we may have never questioned anything about the effect all of the work may have had on Jeff, we just assumed it didn’t.  

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I know something about the stress levels that came with the responsibilities that Jeff carried. We had long conversations about the complexities of putting on Pride and other talks about the idiocy of procedure and personalities that often tied up process. Jeff was commonly mired in bureaucracy, procedure, personalities and politics. Still, he moved forward. He didn’t step back. He didn’t give up. He didn’t run for cover.  

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I admired that.  

 

If we hadn’t lost Jeff, he probably would never have stopped. He may have stepped back, he may have delegated, he may have even passed on the torch here or there. But a leader like Jeff does what he does not because he wants glory, fame or recognition. A leader like Jeff did what he did because he had to, innately, because he had the resources, because he had the knowledge to form shifts in the sand. A leader like Jeff did what he did because he empathized and understood and cared. A leader like Jeff did what he did because he couldn’t not do it. He wanted to help others. And he did that. He did that for so long and so powerfully that others tend to step back in security, knowing someone else is taking care of things. But things don’t get taken care of in a vacuum. Things only get taken care of because someone decides that they’re willing to put aside a part of their lives in order to serve greater good. We all know leaders whose egos precede them into the room. Jeff was not one of those people.  

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All of our stories are a mixture of things.  

 

I would often think about Juan, Jeff’s husband, who was present at so many LGBTQ events, in full support. I compared it to my own husband James, who has remained steadfastly at my side throughout my years of activism. A leader, an activist, it not only taking their own place in the race to equality and freedom, but they are supported by those who stand by them no matter what, who put up with the insanity that is activism. It takes more than one. The gift of leadership is not only carried by the face of the movement, but by those who stand at their side.  

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I hold humility in the highest regard. If you’re going to be a leader you need to be humble. You have to know that even though you’re in the spotlight, that you’re the focus of a lot of attention because of your work, you have to still understand that you’re no better than anyone else in the room. You simply have the opportunity to make a difference. You have the talent, the resources and the opportunity to push through the hatred, discrimination and written societal rules or behavior to state the obvious, that change is needed to establish equality, fairness and an even playing field. If you’re a true leader, you do so because you’re able, not because you’re seeking the spotlight. That was Jeff.  

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Jeff made a difference. We all should.  

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Whatever you can do, do it. The smallest of gestures can make the biggest difference. Be open to others, to discussions, to conversations. But always do so in the presence of truth.  

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Everyone has their passions. It’s important we all find ours. Jeff’s passion was in giving meaning and history to a community that was so easily fragmented and displaced by the society at large. Our stories are vital, passionate and revealing. We are, in essence, as so many other communities are, the soul of America. Without a documented history, we are invisible. 

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Our time is limited. We must make a difference while we are here.  

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Death is something we will all face. The question is, what do we leave behind?... 

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“If I had to describe Jeffery in one word, it would be passionate. He was passionate about our LGBTQ+ community. Sometimes that passion could be overwhelming or even at times exhausting, but it was very effective. It was this passion that drove him to give everything to the preservation of Fresno's LGBTQ+ history. Jeffery found the importance of every person's story and wanted to preserve those stories for future generations. The Rainbow Archive at Fresno State and Qistory came out of his passion and commitment to queer lives and histories. Both would not have existed without Jeffery's passion and persistence.”…Katherine Fobear

 

“I first met Jeff over 20 years ago when we both were involved with The Imperial Dove Court. Jeff was elected Emperor 26 and devoted his time and love to our community raising monies for various charities as well as traveling throughout the state representing Fresno with pride. 

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I had the great honor the following year to be crowned as Empress 27 by Jeff and from that day forward I always enjoyed working with Jeff. I was very honored to be part of the committee of Qistory an idea that Jeff gave birth to, or the conception to, and we will continue with what Jeff wanted for our community and for future generations to know what we went through to get here today.”…Steve Hagopian (Tiffany Taylor Tate) 

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“I was 17 when I first met Jeff. I went to the youth group to keep an eye on my little sister, but ended up finding a mentor, a community, and a family. Before I knew it I was being introduced to everything LGBTQ. It started my love of volunteering and working with the queer community.  

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I didn’t have the best home life but thanks to Jeff I always felt loved and accepted. He would always listen when me and my friends needed a safe person to talk to. And was always there to give advice we needed, even when we weren’t always ready to listen. He continued to be a safe space into my adulthood.  

 

When I look around I realize almost everyone I know and love was brought into my life because of Jeff. I am so lucky to have known him, and I truly know I am a better person because of the impact he had on my life.”…Rachel Wilson 

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“I met Jeff seven years ago as a newly out transgender man. At first glance I was both in awe and slightly intimidated, timidness that went away the more I got to know this amazing man.  

 

Jeff was everything a friend, mentor and parent should be. His advocacy for the LGBT community bled into his personal relationships with the people he cared for and loved.  

 

He taught me by example, with compassion and care, but he would also at times throw me into situations and let me find my own footing- always letting me know that it was okay to fail as long as I gave it my absolute best. He always had an ear ready when I needed to speak or a booming voice when I couldn’t find my own.  

 

He was a “mama bear” when it came to the queer community, fiercely protective of all of us, and I knew down to my last atom that with him, around him, I would always be safe.”… Jay Sanchez 

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“Jeffery was more than just another person to me.  Hearing stories of him, warms my heart.  Just knowing that my mentor, my friend and at times my shady counterpart.  Jeffery and I had, what I will call a “Resting Bitch” friendship.  In 2014, he took a chance on this young baby queen by allowing me to host the festival Main Stage.  I knew my commitment to him and the Pride Committee would forever change.  

 

During an Imperial Dove Court event Jeffery and I developed a bond. He then eventually became my mentor.  We would sit next to one another and gossip! He sure did love his TEA.  We would talk about the event ideas and fundraising ideas.  The year I ran for Empress, I remember him telling me that how much respect he had for me and how I would be this breath of fresh air to our community.  During my reign he helped me out, like a lot.  From helping with a program, donating to an event, having him and Juan coming over to take my empress pics for coronation, he was literally in my corner.  I remember the night I stepped down, I had invited him and a few others that meant the world to me that had served before me.  I just remember seeing his smile and if you knew Jeff, he rarely smiled.  That year I also donated $3000 to the gay pride parade and festival at the beginning of my reign, which he told me later on ended up help saving pride that year. I was also a Grand Marshal.  

 

Our friend loved to push me to my limits.  I always felt like he would challenge me to make more creative ideas to fundraise for pride.  We would go back and forth and he would eventually get me on somethings so insignificant at the time. Jeff was my mentor but more importantly my friend.  I’ll truly miss you friend.”…Leilani Price 

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“Jeffrey Robinson was many things to many people.  

 

In the recent weeks, many people have tried to describe exactly what Jeff meant to them: A pillar of the community. An activist. An ally. A mentor. A husband. A friend. A father figure. To me, he will always be an icon and a shining example of what the LGBTQIA+ Community of Fresno needs.  

 

I met Jeff when I was 19 when I first attended the Youth Group in 1996. As a kid from the small conservative town of Exeter, meeting someone like Jeff was life changing. Initially, I was terrified of Jeff. He was not afraid to ask tough questions in the Youth Group to get us talking about ourselves; nor was he afraid to share his opinion and call someone out. It took me years to figure out that Jeff was actually a teddy bear of a human being and everything he said and did came from a place of love. I learned so much from him. He was setting us all up to be the brave, unapologetic, proud leaders of tomorrow. He was passing along all the parts of himself that made him so special to us so that we could someday be role models like him - role models to the youth that our younger selves needed. When I look at other friends that I’ve met through the Jeff, I see him. I see a loud, proud ball of fire in Binx. I see loving, caring parents to a child in need in Liz and Carol. I see selfless acts of community togetherness, a sharp wit and fabulous sense of style in Leilani. And I see the love, support and perseverance in his husband Juan.  

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If you had the chance to meet Jeff, you knew the bigger-than-life presence he was. The impact that Jeff has left on the Community and all of us is profound and will not be forgotten. I call on each and every one of you that knew him to honor Jeff in your own way. Volunteer. Support the Community. Try and give back in anyway you can. And for the love of God, tip your queens! Be that out, loud, proud person so that someone else can feel comfortable with who they are. Be that role model that Jeff was to me.”…Brian Carnes 

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“I worked with Jeff on many things, starting in 1998 when I began copy editing News Link for him, something I did for 15 years. That led to my long running column “The Waterhouse Report” in 2000. Jeff immensely enjoyed my tweaking of politicians’ tails even though it occasionally led to recriminations in the community. I also helped him with Rainbow Pride for many years. I occasionally represented him at a few press conferences during our 24 years of friendship. 

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Memories? There are so many I shared with him. His bringing the local news media with him to a contentious meeting with Fresno police after a lieutenant tried to sabotage Rainbow Pride several years ago. Him refusing to buckle to political blackmail by Fresno mayor Bubba Autry during a heated meeting at Irene’s in 2004. Him honoring my late husband Tom during Rainbow Pride the year after Tom died of cancer. Jeff always remembered Tom and what he did for the parade and for the community. His being the master of ceremonies for the annual Golden State Bear weekend at The Den—I had a wonderful time playing ‘straight man’ to his humor as Wyoming. And, there are so many more. 

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I already miss Jeff. The parade won’t be the same with him gone. His massive presence in so many things made our community what it is today. Jeff was very humble despite his fame as “Mr. Gay Mayor of Fresno.” He often reminded me there were many other activists in our community who led the way alongside him. Much to my surprise, he included me in that list. His passing is a great personal loss because so many of our friends have died since 2010.”…Dan Waterhouse 

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“During last week's memorial one of the speakers asked us to close our eyes and remember the first time we met Jeff. 

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What's odd is that I couldn’t remember the first time I met Jeff. I think this is mostly because I can't remember a time where I didn't know him. It seemed like he was everywhere all the time. 

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I recall his presence being comforting and inspirational.  Jeff organized and hosted many events but what made him amazing is that he truly knew that all things took an army to be successful.  He never failed to thank everyone involved and praise those who worked hard.  It was undeniable how proud he was of those who wanted to participate and make a difference. 

 

I remember when he asked me to be Grand Marshall of the Pride Parade and I recall my first thought being, "Why me? I'm no one important."  Jeff explained to me the importance of my influence and presence in the community and how even the smallest gestures can make a large difference in a single person's life.  Before that conversation, I thought I was just a silly youngster trying to find friends by creating a social group for lesbians.  Jeff helped me realize that I was helping others find family within our rainbow community.  He really saw all the greatness and potential that existed in what others might perceive as pointless efforts.  He made me proud of what I was creating because I knew it made him proud.  As many will tell you, once you get to a point where you're making Jeff proud, you work hard to never let him down. 

 

I will miss him and his leadership.  He truly was a leader who focused on the efforts of the team and the wellbeing of the community he fought for.  He didn't do it for notoriety or popularity. He did it because he sincerely loved everyone and wanted so much for us to realize we were worthy of it.”…Tiana Perez 

 

“There will never be anyone who had a greater impact on the Fresno LGBTQ+ community than Jeffery Robinson or held more secrets! The major accomplishments we associate with Jeffery, CEO of Community Link, Fresno Rainbow Pride, Qistory, "It's A Queer Thang", the Imperial Dove Court, do not compare to me, as the impact he had on people.  

 

He recognized and treasured people! I will always treasure serving as Grand Marshal of the Pride Parade in 2017 and recognized for my contributions to gay Fresno. If you look at the diverse Grand Marshals of Fresno Rainbow Pride for the last 30 years, you will see the historical evolution of our very diverse gay community. 

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He cared about people! He was kind, thoughtful, saw both the big picture and the details. How many lives did he save, by seeing and hearing people who were lost, suffering, or in need? Whether they were children or seniors, Jeffery had a referral and could point you in the right direction. He was there for you! 

 

WWJD - What would Jeffery do?  

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He would be caring and kind, a great model to follow!  

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Thank you, Jeffery, for your inspiration! “…Marsha Conant 

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“As I stood in front of the Tower Theater, looking at the hundreds of people who gathered to celebrate the life of Jeffrey Robinson, I tried to take in all the different ways Jeff has inspired this community. The ripple effect of his leadership was clear in each set of folks who gathered. From the opening speech, by Fresno pioneer Peter Robertson, reflecting on their times organizing and fighting back together at Fresno State, to the final LGBTQ+ Ally who was inspired by Jeff to use her voice for change, it was clear that this wasn’t just a celebration of a life well lived, but a legacy that will live on. This was a celebration of what had happened and what can still continue to happen in honor of a person who gave so much. Our community was so very fortunate to be gifted the life of Jeffrey Robinson. His determination to live a life of dignity as an out and proud gay man living in the Central Valley of California is clear. Each group gathered, each speaker who took the stage and every Pride sign in between represented the crashing wave reality that his ripple effect had gathered people from our youth to our seniors.  

 

There are few LGBTQ+ community events that you can participate in or attend that Mr. Robinson didn’t help found, create, support, inspire or lead. That’s right, just to mention a few, if you have attended an LGBTQ+ event at Fresno State, bought tickets to REEL Pride, gathered in the Tower District in June to celebrate Pride, been lucky enough to hold a copy of NewsLink or hear Jeffrey’s on-air personality on KFCF’s 88.1’s “It’s a Queer Thang” radio broadcast, you have been touched by that amazing wave of leadership. And, that is just mentioning a few of his contributions of greatness. 

 

Looking out at that crowd, I struggled to find the words. How do you remember a legend, an icon, a god among people, especially when you don’t want to live with the recent reality that you HAVE TO live without him in your community any longer? And then it struck me, Jeffrey Robinson was such an amazing inspiration to so many that we aren’t truly living without him - he is in each of us. And, the only way we can truly remember him is to do our best to live like he lived - to love, “In Pride," and fight like hell when they try to challenge either. The love affair that Jeffrey and Juan shared with this community is inspirational. They met over what was supposed to be a short weekend visit, and the connection was so strong they stayed together for nearly 3 decades. There were few times you saw Jeffrey, without Juan. But, when you did, it was generally when Jeff had been asked to speak at a class event, local community meeting, political negotiation or press conference. It wasn’t his job to give back in that way. He wasn’t getting paid to volunteer his time and perspective - he did it because he loved his community, and he was called to fight for the dignity we deserve. What Jeff and Juan gave up in moments together, we gained in the pride our community continued to build with his leadership. My heart breaks for Juan, he was robbed of decades more of loving, we all were.  

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As much as I mourn the loss I am feeling and struggle to accept what Juan must be going through, I know our youth are hurting just as much. While working with the Gay-Straight Alliance Network, I learned of Jeff’s work with our youth. Every Friday night, without fail, Jeff would host youth meetups at the Big Red Church or the Center for Non-Violence or wherever the group needed to meet that week. Youth from every walk of life would enter that door looking for community, support, love. Some would come in not willing to admit that is what they were there for, but Jeff had a way of pulling them in to their comfort zone with his witty sarcasm and that oh so cute wink and grin. If you never saw Jeff with his youth, you missed out on a treat - it was life changing. At Jeff’s celebration of life, there were countless young adults I saw in that crowd who drove and flew in from wherever they were to honor the man that had shaped them. Many of those youth saying that "he literally saved my life.” So many of those youth are now doing their own good work, serving in communities all over the country - giving back and making that ripple effect an undeniable wave of change. My heart breaks for them, honestly it breaks for all of us. But I am grateful that we were given the gift of Jeffrey Robinson, and I pray we will all continue his work of love, “In Pride,” and fight"…Robin McGehee  

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”Jeffery Robinson and I met 35 years ago when we were both undergraduate students attending Fresno State. In 1987, when the Fresno State United Student Pride booth was burned, Jeff was there. In 1989, when the KKK was on-campus to protest our student club, Cleve Jones and the Fresno City Bulldrags, Jeff was there. Later that same semester, when 25 students protested the misuse of power within student government and were subsequently arrested, Jeff was there. Throughout many incidents such as this, Jeff was “a bridge over troubled waters.” He inspired my social justice activism and advocacy which remains to this day.  

Jeff was a humble leader whose tireless efforts touched the lives of so many of us in our community. A handful of these examples include:  

• Coordinating the Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival when no one else would; 

• Keeping the Reel Pride film festival up-and-running when it was on the brink of extinction;  

• Hosting “It’s a Queer Thang” radio show on 88.1-KFCF for three decades; and  

• Holding the title of Emperor 26 with the Imperial Dove Court De Fresno. 

In 2015, Jeff was selected for the honor of being the keynote alumnx speaker for Fresno State’s 2nd Annual Rainbow Graduation Celebration. Recently, he also donated to and volunteered with three additional LGBTQ+ related projects at Fresno State:  

• Rainbow Archives with the Madden Library; 

• Qistory Project of the College of Social Sciences at Fresno State; and 

• Zoyer Zyndel MSW Memorial Scholarship Fund with the College of Health and Human Services at Fresno State. 

Thank you, Jeff, for being a part of the solution, leading by example, and uplifting our community. Finally, thank you, Juan Bustamante, for sharing him with all of us since the very beginning of your relationship together. We are all the better for it.  

Dear Jeff, thank you for being our “Bridge over troubled waters.” We love you. We miss you. Rest in power.”…Peter Robertson  

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The future of the LGBTQ Community in Fresno and the Central Valley depends on all of us. What we do, how we do it and when we do it. Jeff can’t be replaced. None of us can. That’s not the goal. The goal is to contribute in our own way, to do what we can do, with our motivations and talents. Jeff would want us to move forward not in his reflection, but forming our own paths, leaving in place our own shadows.  

 

Jeff’s legacy will live on. His work in the community was to let others know that they can take up the torch as well, that everyone has the power within themselves to step into the fray and to create change. If we want to honor Jeff, we need to work like Jeff did, always thinking about others, and how we can help others on their journey.  

 

In the grand scheme, life is short. We’re here and we’re gone. It’s what you can do to help other that creates a legacy.  

What do we leave behind? 

 

Take charge of your journey. 

 

Step in when you witness injustice.  

 

Stand up for others. 

 

Speak your mind.  

 

Find the truth. 

 

Share the truth. 

 

Demand the truth.  

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