Steven Glancy, 40, Worked For Gay Rights, Aids Awareness

Steven Allen Glancy, a legal assistant who never let his serious sense of fun blunt a dead-serious mission, issued a caveat before his talks to health-care or legal workers on civil-rights issues involving AIDS:

He'd warn that his words might cause "headaches and confusion" for which the usual prescription is two aspirins and a latte.

"But unless you're into the thrill of litigation, or want to pay for your attorney's next Armani suit, you need to listen to what I'm about to say."

Mr. Glancy helped draft the part of Washington's landmark 1988 AIDS Omnibus Bill dealing with testing and confidentiality.

Trained as an attorney at Indiana University Law School, he came to Seattle, joined Seattle Men's Chorus as a percussionist, and held jobs leading to becoming a legal assistant with Perkins Coie law firm.

Even before then, Mr. Glancy, who died June 3 of AIDS at age 40, dedicated his life to battling discrimination against gays, lesbians and others living with HIV and AIDS.

According to his friend Paul Mueller, "Perhaps growing up in a small town (Hartford City, Ind.) - where to be identified as gay meant likely rejection by family, friends, employers and landlords - Steve was acutely aware of the importance of the legal and personal right to privacy."

In the late 1980s he co-chaired the mayor's Lesbian and Gay Task Force, pursuing domestic partnership rights for gays and lesbians.

He also helped found the AIDSWATCH watchdog group dealing with legal issues, served on the board of the American Civil Liberties Union, and worked for health-care reform in Olympia.

"When there were genuine disagreements on complicated issues," said Mariella Cummings, director of the state Department of Infectious Disease and Reproductive Health, "he used poise, thoughtfulness, and humor to help us find a middle ground without compromising the basic needs of gays and lesbians."

As board president of Rosehedge House, he helped the group open a new facility in North Seattle.

The gregarious Mr. Glancy also enjoyed cooking, traveling, "dishing dirt" with friends, and performing in cabaret and musical shows.

Among his favorites: The long-running cult musical, "The Texas Chainsaw Manicurist."

Survivors include his partner of 16 years, Don Tarbutton of Suquamish; and friends Robert Massa, Seattle, and David Henderson, San Francisco; mother Doris Glancy, brothers Gary and Timothy and sister Sue Ann Boyd plus nieces and nephews, all of Hartford City, Ind.

Mr. Glancy asked that, in lieu of holding a service, friends celebrate his life Aug. 6 at his Suquamish home (information: 360-598-3557).

Remembrances may be made to Hospice of Kitsap County, 1007 Scott Ave., Suite D, Bremerton, WA, 98310; American Civil Liberties of Washington, 705 Second Ave., Suite 300, Seattle, WA, 98104; or to Rosehedge House, 12718 15th Ave. N.E., Seattle, WA, 98125.