Maureen Duffy, the celebrated British author and activist whose work paved the way for LGBTQ+ representation in literature, has died at the age of 92, her publisher confirmed.
A Literary Pioneer
Duffy was born in 1933 in Worthing, West Sussex, and grew up in London. She published her first novel, That's How It Was, in 1962, a semi-autobiographical work that explored themes of class and sexuality. The book was groundbreaking for its honest portrayal of a lesbian relationship at a time when such topics were largely taboo.
Over her six-decade career, Duffy wrote more than 30 books, including novels, poetry, and plays. Her work often tackled social justice issues, from feminism to animal rights. She was also a prominent campaigner for LGBTQ+ rights, serving as a vice president of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association.
Activism and Legacy
Beyond her writing, Duffy was a fierce advocate for authors' rights. She was a founding member of the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society and fought tirelessly for fair payment and copyright protection for writers.
Her activism extended to environmental causes and animal welfare. In 2015, she was awarded the Lambda Literary Award for her contributions to LGBTQ+ literature.
Tributes have poured in from the literary world. Novelist Sarah Waters called Duffy "a true trailblazer" whose work "opened doors for so many." Poet Andrew McMillan described her as "a force of nature" who "never stopped fighting for what she believed in."
Duffy is survived by her partner, the writer and activist Mary Dorcey. A private funeral will be held, with a public memorial planned for later this year.
