Joe Tom Easley, who passed away in February of 2022, was a leading national civil and gay rights activist, a noted attorney instrumental in getting "don't ask/don't tell" repealed, and a fierce advocate for historic preservation, serving on the board of the Miami Design Preservation League for many years.
His marriage to husband Peter Freiberg was among the first same-sex unions announced in the New York Times. Mr. Easley served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, spent years fighting for the repeal of “don’t ask/don’t tell,” and used his skills as a speaker, teacher and leader to serve the gay community. He was a chairman of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a group that sought to end discrimination against gay military personnel, served as chairman of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, an LGBT group, and as president of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
His husband, Peter Freiberg, and the Palm View Neighborhood Association have requested that the City of Miami Beach honor Joe Tom Easley. They request doing so within the Palm View neighborhood, and are suggesting to place the plaque near a tree in the northwest corner of Pride Park. Mr. Easley fought hard to make Pride Park happen and therefore, they believe it would be a suitable place to honor his memory and legacy.
The Parks and Recreation Department and the Economic Development Department support placing a memorial plaque in Pride Park. The cost to produce and install a 12” x 12” plaque and a supporting pedestal, is approximately $3,000 - $5,000.