Lynn G. Zeitlin, a longtime LGBT advocate, died Sept. 10 after a brief illness. She was 74 and lived in Narberth.
Zeitlin was active in numerous LGBT organizations. She served as executive director of Equality Advocates (now Equality PA) and co-chair of Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia LGBT outreach effort Jewish Pride, and was active in Equality Forum, Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club, Justice for Nizah Committee and Philadelphia Bar Association’s LGBT Rights Committee.
Zeitlin was diminutive and soft-spoken, but when she took on a cause, she was a fierce advocate, tapping into an extensive network of contacts to get things done.
“She was a dynamo,” said Robin Schatz, a longtime friend. “Everything she did, she embraced wholeheartedly. No matter what, she tackled it with total enthusiasm, passion and commitment.”
Schatz recalled Zeitlin’s adroitness in securing the adoption of a pro-marriage-equality resolution by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.
“The resolution accomplished the goal of saying people needed to be treated with dignity and equality, which was exactly what Lynn was all about,” Schatz said.
David G. Gold, co-chair of Jewish Pride, mourned the loss.
“Lynn and I co-chaired Jewish Pride since 2013,” Gold said. “In the short time we co-chaired this group, she and I were able to bring together members of the LGBTQ Jewish community who have felt unconnected for many years. Lynn work tirelessly toward this goal. She loved her family and our community deeply.”
Zeitlin had an abiding commitment to the Jewish community. She served as president of Jewish Social Policy Action Network, was active with the Anti-Defamation League and attended Main Line Reform Temple Beth Elohim.
The Jewish Social Policy Action Network issued this statement about Zeitlin’s death: “Lynn truly walked the walk. She actively engaged in issues she cared about, taking seriously the Jewish obligation to support the most vulnerable among us — because we know what it means to be vulnerable. Lynn will be sorely missed by JSPAN and countless community members.”
Nancy Baron-Baer, another friend of Zeitlin, said her death leaves a void.
“Lynn was committed for decades to improving the lives of others,” Baron-Baer said. “She worked hard for, and was passionate for, many causes. She’ll be sorely missed in the community.”
Two years ago, when same-sex marriage licenses became available in Montgomery County, Zeitlin and her longtime partner, Gabriela Assagioli, obtained a license and had a civil-marriage ceremony. Zeitlin told friends she was thrilled to be legally married and noted the happiness of the civil ceremony, which was attended by her children and grandchildren.
Eight years earlier, Zeitlin and Assagioli had a Jewish wedding ceremony at Temple Beth Elohim.
“My thoughts are with Gabriela [and Zeitlin’s children] Robert, Karen and Lisagail as they reflect on Lynn’s life,” said state Sen. Daylin Leach, who officiated Zeitlin’s civil-marriage ceremony. “Lynn was a dogged advocate for LGBT rights, an admired leader in the Jewish community and a devoted friend. Hers is a legacy of justice, community and love.”
At the time of her death, Zeitlin was in her second term as a commissioner of the Lower Merion Township Human Relations Commission.
She received an undergraduate degree from then-Beaver College (now Arcadia University) in 1963, and a law degree from Villanova University in 1978. An accomplished attorney, Zeitlin worked in the field of law for more than 30 years. Most recently, she was employed at the Center City law firm of Spadea, Lanard & Lignana, specializing in real-estate and business transactions.
Malcolm L. Lazin, another friend of Zeitlin, noted she was an out attorney at a time when there weren’t many.
“She was among the very first openly gay attorneys in Philadelphia,” Lazin said. “It was not that long ago when there were very few attorneys willing to be out.”
Ted Martin, executive director of Equality PA, expressed sadness over the deaths of Zeitlin and Jacob Kaskey, who also worked at Equality PA.
“Both Lynn and Jake contributed to Equality PA’s work significantly, and losing both of them is a loss to the LGBT community,” Martin said, adding: “In our state, the LGBT community still has much work to do, but without the contributions of these two leaders, we would not be where we are today in Pennsylvania.”
In addition to Assagioli, Zeitlin is survived by her son, Robert Zeitlin; her two daughters, Karen Grant and Lisagail Zeitlin; three grandsons and a granddaughter.
Funeral services were held Sept. 13 at Main Line Reform Temple Beth Elohim in Wynnewood. Interment followed at Haym Salomon Memorial Park in Frazer.
Contributions in Zeitlin’s memory may be made to Planned Parenthood or Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, earmarked for Jewish Pride. n