Ken Jones, S.F. Pride's 'Father of Diversity,' dies at 70
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Ken Jones, a queer elder and former SF Pride President, on Castro Street in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, June 15, 2020.Scott Strazzante / The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
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Ken Jones stands for a portrait outside City Hall in San Francisco, California, on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017.Gabrielle Lurie / The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
When Ken Jones moved to the Castro neighborhood in 1973, he was often one of the few Black gay men in many queer bars and businesses. The Navy veteran had already worked on special projects at the Treasure Island Naval Base geared toward further desegregating the armed forces. It was inevitable that Jones would turn that same focus toward the Castro and San Francisco’s larger LGBTQ world, which he did during decades of activism.