(Photo: Just Out)
61-year old Portland resident Bonnie Tinker, was killed yesterday while riding her bike on the campus of Virginia Tech.
Tinker was attending a Religious Society of Friends conference when the incident occurred. According to The Roanoke Times, she was struck by a dump truck and died on the scene. The Oregonian reports that the crash was a right-hook. The collision is under investigation.
Tinker was very well-known in the Portland community and was the founder and executive director of Love Makes a Family, Inc., a Portland non-profit that works for marriage rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples.
A friend, writing about Tinker’s death on BlueOregon.com, wrote:
“She worked so very hard, and there was no doubt that she cared deeply, passionately and thoroughly about what she did. She devoted her life to the work of queer rights and peace.
Tinker was a member of the P.O’d Grannies and according to The Oregonian she was arrested in 2008 for protesting at the downtown Portland Armed Forces Recruiting Center.
For details on upcoming memorial services, stay tuned to the Just Out blog.