Tom Doerr, 1947-1987

Thomas L. Doerr (1947 – August 2, 1987) was an American gay activist. In 1970, he introduced the lambda symbol into the gay rights movement when the image was used to represent the political work of the Gay Activists Alliance. The lambda became "a sign for gay liberation in general". He meant the lambda to symbolize the liberation achievable through activism, the link because in chemistry, the lambda is a sign for a catalyst and in Doerr's concept, it symbolized an "exchange of energy."

In 1970, ten GAA members occupied the Republican State Committee headquarters to demand that Governor Nelson Rockefeller support gay rights.

Personal life Tom Doerr was a lover of Martin "Marty" Robinson (1943–1992). Born in Brooklyn, Robinson attended New York University and worked as a union carpenter. Robinson, writing Doerr's obituary, said: Anything that I had been able to contribute towards human liberation (self-acceptance) came from his love. I and many of your friends, Tom, will find it much harder to stumble on without you. A somewhat reticent, gentle prophet died this week... We are crushed at losing you... Fortified in having known you.

Doerr died on August 2, 1987, and is buried with his parents at Centre County Memorial Park, State College, Pennsylvania.