Keith B. Smith, a lobbyist and gay rights activist, died Monday of pneumonia. He was 51.
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Smith, an Oklahoma City resident, served on the board of directors for National Stonewall Democrats, a grassroots network of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender activists within the Democratic Party.
He represented a region including Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Arkansas. He was Oklahoma's first openly gay delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
He also was co-chairman of the Central Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats, one of 90 chapters across the country.
In 2004, Smith was a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union challenging a proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman. The lawsuit failed to keep the marriage amendment off the ballot, and it passed with overwhelming support.
As a lobbyist, Smith's clients included Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and the Sierra Club.
Incoming Sen. Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, and former Sen. Bernest Cain, D-Oklahoma City, issued statements after Smith's death commending him for his political endeavors.
"Keith was tireless and determined in his efforts to speak for those who otherwise would have no voice in the legislative process," Rice said.
"His energy was boundless, and he felt that one of the most important duties of every citizen was to become active in the political process," Cain said.
Smith is survived by his mother, Berda Murrow, and three brothers, Craig, Kurt and Kyle Smith.
Services are pending with OK Cremation and Mortuary Service, Oklahoma City.
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