Kaelin Bowers is dead. I don't know by what causes yet; the news was kindly reported to me today by Michael Burton, who learned of this through Intel.

Kaelin was Allyn Bowers when we first met. At the time, she was active with Portland Bisexual Women; I recruited her to be on my board of directors, for the Portland Bisexual Alliance. We worked together for several years, meeting weekly, and sometimes several times per week.

I recall the first time Allyn really met with trans folk, at a discussion group that I had arranged. And I recall when Kaelin told me of his own transition -- bumping into him at Dave Carter's memorial service. ...To a small extent, I feel like I played a role in Kaelin finding his path.

We had a professional relationship. Despite all the time together, we weren't very close. Still, there was a brief period when Allyn intersected with someone else in my social circle, and I was in-the-know about the details.

After I left PBA in 2000, I didn't keep in touch. But I did bump into Kaelin at Pride at one point, and was interested to see that he was working with Basic Rights Oregon. Later still, I received emails from Kaelin (because I was on a list) about the persecution of an Intel employee suspected of terrorism. It seemed that Kaelin had become increasingly politicised over the years.

I am not the person to write a eulogy; I am merely paying my respects. Like others will be, I am collecting Kaelin's memories.

I won't try to crudely sum up his life. Let me end by just saying this: Whatever the circumstances of his death, it happened too early. Rest in peace, Kaelin. I wish you and the people who loved you well.