Donald Zarda at center of landmark gay-rights case never got to witness his victory. After telling a client that he was gay, Donald Zarda was fired from a skydiving job he loved. He fought back and posthumously won a major court victory.
Donald Zarda, 44, passed away Oct. 3, 2014, in Switzerland. He was born May 27, 1970, in Missouri, lived in Dallas for the past 14 years, and was pursuing European Union citizenship.
A skilled electrician and IT professional, Zarda graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science degree in technical management/international relations. He was employed at Advanced Skin Fitness since its opening in 2003.
An experienced skydiver, Zarda excelled at every discipline of the sport. He helped thousands create memorable life experiences while serving as a licensed tandem master and skydive instructor at dropzones worldwide. An airplane pilot, he also dedicated his life to BASE jumping as a member of an elite group of wingsuit athletes.
Zarda had a big smile and an even bigger personality. His spirit, enthusiasm and infectious laughter electrified those around him. He enjoyed sharing his adventures with loved ones, and especially relished encouraging others to experience adventures of their own. An intelligent, generous, fun, and truly unique person, Zarda made friends across the globe. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and everyone in the BASE jumping community.
Zarda is survived by his mother; his two sisters; his dear friend, William A. Moore; and his pets, Sachie and Tiny Cat. He was predeceased by his father, Gerald "Jerry" Zarda; his sister, Gara Zarda, and his feline friends, Mynx, China and Little Cat.
A Memorial Service was held on Nov. 1, 2014, at the Vincentian Parish Mission in Independence, Missouri. Another memorial will be held at 2 p.m., Nov. 16, 2014, at the home of William (Bill) Moore in Dallas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your local animal shelter.
____________________________________
GLMA Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality will honor Donald Zarda, Aimee Stephens and Gerald Bostock — the three plaintiffs in the combined lawsuit that finally won federal employment discrimination protections for LGBTQ people — with its Achievement Award during the organization's Sept. 23-26 conference. The U.S. Supreme Court found in favor of the plaintiffs in three LGBTQ employment discrimination cases — combined under Bostock v. Clayton County — in June.
Neither Zarda nor Stephens lived to hear the outcome. Zarda, a sky-diving instructor who lived in Dallas, was killed in a base-jumping accident in Switzerland on Oct. 3, 2014. Stephens died May 12, 2020, following a lengthy illness.
Zarda's partner, Bill Moore of Dallas, discussed Zarda's lawsuit with Dallas Voice on his 20th anniversary of the day he and Zarda met at a private event at Liquid Lounge.
"Don was an adrenaline junkie," Moore said of his partner, adding that Zarda was from Kansas City and was working in San Marcos at the time they met. He had stopped in Dallas on his way home. He and Moore met that night, and Zarda stayed.
Moore said Zarda built out his clinic, Advanced Skin Fitness on Oak Lawn Avenue, and that he was skilled in everything from electrical work to computer programming.
While Zarda lived in Dallas, he'd get temporary sky-diving instructor jobs in different drop zones. From June through September, he'd usually go up north and rent a room for a few months while working. He was working on Long Island with a company called Altitude Express when an incident took place that led to him being fired.
Moore said about 10 people were packed into a plane as it ascended for passengers to skydive. Zarda was going to jump in tandem with a woman, but another passenger asked the woman's boyfriend how he felt about his girlfriend being tethered to such a great looking guy. The conversation went back and forth a few times until Zarda jumped in and reassured the boyfriend he had nothing to worry about since he — Zarda — was gay.
Sources:
Kansas City Star, Oct. 26, 2014
Dallas Voice, Oct. 31, 2014
The New York Times, June 15, 2020
Wikipedia
+++
For more information see Wikipedia: Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda.
"Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda, 590 U.S. ___ (2020), was a landmark United States Supreme Court case which ruled that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 employees could not be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity."
More:
https://time.com/5617310/zarda-supreme-court-lgbtq/
https://dallasvoice.com/donald-zarda-recognized-by-medical-organization/
Donald Zarda, 44, passed away Oct. 3, 2014, in Switzerland. He was born May 27, 1970, in Missouri, lived in Dallas for the past 14 years, and was pursuing European Union citizenship.
A skilled electrician and IT professional, Zarda graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science degree in technical management/international relations. He was employed at Advanced Skin Fitness since its opening in 2003.
An experienced skydiver, Zarda excelled at every discipline of the sport. He helped thousands create memorable life experiences while serving as a licensed tandem master and skydive instructor at dropzones worldwide. An airplane pilot, he also dedicated his life to BASE jumping as a member of an elite group of wingsuit athletes.
Zarda had a big smile and an even bigger personality. His spirit, enthusiasm and infectious laughter electrified those around him. He enjoyed sharing his adventures with loved ones, and especially relished encouraging others to experience adventures of their own. An intelligent, generous, fun, and truly unique person, Zarda made friends across the globe. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and everyone in the BASE jumping community.
Zarda is survived by his mother; his two sisters; his dear friend, William A. Moore; and his pets, Sachie and Tiny Cat. He was predeceased by his father, Gerald "Jerry" Zarda; his sister, Gara Zarda, and his feline friends, Mynx, China and Little Cat.
A Memorial Service was held on Nov. 1, 2014, at the Vincentian Parish Mission in Independence, Missouri. Another memorial will be held at 2 p.m., Nov. 16, 2014, at the home of William (Bill) Moore in Dallas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your local animal shelter.
____________________________________
GLMA Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality will honor Donald Zarda, Aimee Stephens and Gerald Bostock — the three plaintiffs in the combined lawsuit that finally won federal employment discrimination protections for LGBTQ people — with its Achievement Award during the organization's Sept. 23-26 conference. The U.S. Supreme Court found in favor of the plaintiffs in three LGBTQ employment discrimination cases — combined under Bostock v. Clayton County — in June.
Neither Zarda nor Stephens lived to hear the outcome. Zarda, a sky-diving instructor who lived in Dallas, was killed in a base-jumping accident in Switzerland on Oct. 3, 2014. Stephens died May 12, 2020, following a lengthy illness.
Zarda's partner, Bill Moore of Dallas, discussed Zarda's lawsuit with Dallas Voice on his 20th anniversary of the day he and Zarda met at a private event at Liquid Lounge.
"Don was an adrenaline junkie," Moore said of his partner, adding that Zarda was from Kansas City and was working in San Marcos at the time they met. He had stopped in Dallas on his way home. He and Moore met that night, and Zarda stayed.
Moore said Zarda built out his clinic, Advanced Skin Fitness on Oak Lawn Avenue, and that he was skilled in everything from electrical work to computer programming.
While Zarda lived in Dallas, he'd get temporary sky-diving instructor jobs in different drop zones. From June through September, he'd usually go up north and rent a room for a few months while working. He was working on Long Island with a company called Altitude Express when an incident took place that led to him being fired.
Moore said about 10 people were packed into a plane as it ascended for passengers to skydive. Zarda was going to jump in tandem with a woman, but another passenger asked the woman's boyfriend how he felt about his girlfriend being tethered to such a great looking guy. The conversation went back and forth a few times until Zarda jumped in and reassured the boyfriend he had nothing to worry about since he — Zarda — was gay.
Sources:
Kansas City Star, Oct. 26, 2014
Dallas Voice, Oct. 31, 2014
The New York Times, June 15, 2020
Wikipedia
+++
For more information see Wikipedia: Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda.
"Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda, 590 U.S. ___ (2020), was a landmark United States Supreme Court case which ruled that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 employees could not be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity."
More:
https://time.com/5617310/zarda-supreme-court-lgbtq/
https://dallasvoice.com/donald-zarda-recognized-by-medical-organization/
Donald Zarda at center of landmark gay-rights case never got to witness his victory. After telling a client that he was gay, Donald Zarda was fired from a skydiving job he loved. He fought back and posthumously won a major court victory.
Donald Zarda, 44, passed away Oct. 3, 2014, in Switzerland. He was born May 27, 1970, in Missouri, lived in Dallas for the past 14 years, and was pursuing European Union citizenship.
A skilled electrician and IT professional, Zarda graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science degree in technical management/international relations. He was employed at Advanced Skin Fitness since its opening in 2003.
An experienced skydiver, Zarda excelled at every discipline of the sport. He helped thousands create memorable life experiences while serving as a licensed tandem master and skydive instructor at dropzones worldwide. An airplane pilot, he also dedicated his life to BASE jumping as a member of an elite group of wingsuit athletes.
Zarda had a big smile and an even bigger personality. His spirit, enthusiasm and infectious laughter electrified those around him. He enjoyed sharing his adventures with loved ones, and especially relished encouraging others to experience adventures of their own. An intelligent, generous, fun, and truly unique person, Zarda made friends across the globe. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and everyone in the BASE jumping community.
Zarda is survived by his mother; his two sisters; his dear friend, William A. Moore; and his pets, Sachie and Tiny Cat. He was predeceased by his father, Gerald "Jerry" Zarda; his sister, Gara Zarda, and his feline friends, Mynx, China and Little Cat.
A Memorial Service was held on Nov. 1, 2014, at the Vincentian Parish Mission in Independence, Missouri. Another memorial will be held at 2 p.m., Nov. 16, 2014, at the home of William (Bill) Moore in Dallas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your local animal shelter.
____________________________________
GLMA Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality will honor Donald Zarda, Aimee Stephens and Gerald Bostock — the three plaintiffs in the combined lawsuit that finally won federal employment discrimination protections for LGBTQ people — with its Achievement Award during the organization's Sept. 23-26 conference. The U.S. Supreme Court found in favor of the plaintiffs in three LGBTQ employment discrimination cases — combined under Bostock v. Clayton County — in June.
Neither Zarda nor Stephens lived to hear the outcome. Zarda, a sky-diving instructor who lived in Dallas, was killed in a base-jumping accident in Switzerland on Oct. 3, 2014. Stephens died May 12, 2020, following a lengthy illness.
Zarda's partner, Bill Moore of Dallas, discussed Zarda's lawsuit with Dallas Voice on his 20th anniversary of the day he and Zarda met at a private event at Liquid Lounge.
"Don was an adrenaline junkie," Moore said of his partner, adding that Zarda was from Kansas City and was working in San Marcos at the time they met. He had stopped in Dallas on his way home. He and Moore met that night, and Zarda stayed.
Moore said Zarda built out his clinic, Advanced Skin Fitness on Oak Lawn Avenue, and that he was skilled in everything from electrical work to computer programming.
While Zarda lived in Dallas, he'd get temporary sky-diving instructor jobs in different drop zones. From June through September, he'd usually go up north and rent a room for a few months while working. He was working on Long Island with a company called Altitude Express when an incident took place that led to him being fired.
Moore said about 10 people were packed into a plane as it ascended for passengers to skydive. Zarda was going to jump in tandem with a woman, but another passenger asked the woman's boyfriend how he felt about his girlfriend being tethered to such a great looking guy. The conversation went back and forth a few times until Zarda jumped in and reassured the boyfriend he had nothing to worry about since he — Zarda — was gay.
Sources:
Kansas City Star, Oct. 26, 2014
Dallas Voice, Oct. 31, 2014
The New York Times, June 15, 2020
Wikipedia
+++
For more information see Wikipedia: Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda.
"Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda, 590 U.S. ___ (2020), was a landmark United States Supreme Court case which ruled that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 employees could not be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity."
More:
https://time.com/5617310/zarda-supreme-court-lgbtq/
https://dallasvoice.com/donald-zarda-recognized-by-medical-organization/
Donald Zarda, 44, passed away Oct. 3, 2014, in Switzerland. He was born May 27, 1970, in Missouri, lived in Dallas for the past 14 years, and was pursuing European Union citizenship.
A skilled electrician and IT professional, Zarda graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science degree in technical management/international relations. He was employed at Advanced Skin Fitness since its opening in 2003.
An experienced skydiver, Zarda excelled at every discipline of the sport. He helped thousands create memorable life experiences while serving as a licensed tandem master and skydive instructor at dropzones worldwide. An airplane pilot, he also dedicated his life to BASE jumping as a member of an elite group of wingsuit athletes.
Zarda had a big smile and an even bigger personality. His spirit, enthusiasm and infectious laughter electrified those around him. He enjoyed sharing his adventures with loved ones, and especially relished encouraging others to experience adventures of their own. An intelligent, generous, fun, and truly unique person, Zarda made friends across the globe. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and everyone in the BASE jumping community.
Zarda is survived by his mother; his two sisters; his dear friend, William A. Moore; and his pets, Sachie and Tiny Cat. He was predeceased by his father, Gerald "Jerry" Zarda; his sister, Gara Zarda, and his feline friends, Mynx, China and Little Cat.
A Memorial Service was held on Nov. 1, 2014, at the Vincentian Parish Mission in Independence, Missouri. Another memorial will be held at 2 p.m., Nov. 16, 2014, at the home of William (Bill) Moore in Dallas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your local animal shelter.
____________________________________
GLMA Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality will honor Donald Zarda, Aimee Stephens and Gerald Bostock — the three plaintiffs in the combined lawsuit that finally won federal employment discrimination protections for LGBTQ people — with its Achievement Award during the organization's Sept. 23-26 conference. The U.S. Supreme Court found in favor of the plaintiffs in three LGBTQ employment discrimination cases — combined under Bostock v. Clayton County — in June.
Neither Zarda nor Stephens lived to hear the outcome. Zarda, a sky-diving instructor who lived in Dallas, was killed in a base-jumping accident in Switzerland on Oct. 3, 2014. Stephens died May 12, 2020, following a lengthy illness.
Zarda's partner, Bill Moore of Dallas, discussed Zarda's lawsuit with Dallas Voice on his 20th anniversary of the day he and Zarda met at a private event at Liquid Lounge.
"Don was an adrenaline junkie," Moore said of his partner, adding that Zarda was from Kansas City and was working in San Marcos at the time they met. He had stopped in Dallas on his way home. He and Moore met that night, and Zarda stayed.
Moore said Zarda built out his clinic, Advanced Skin Fitness on Oak Lawn Avenue, and that he was skilled in everything from electrical work to computer programming.
While Zarda lived in Dallas, he'd get temporary sky-diving instructor jobs in different drop zones. From June through September, he'd usually go up north and rent a room for a few months while working. He was working on Long Island with a company called Altitude Express when an incident took place that led to him being fired.
Moore said about 10 people were packed into a plane as it ascended for passengers to skydive. Zarda was going to jump in tandem with a woman, but another passenger asked the woman's boyfriend how he felt about his girlfriend being tethered to such a great looking guy. The conversation went back and forth a few times until Zarda jumped in and reassured the boyfriend he had nothing to worry about since he — Zarda — was gay.
Sources:
Kansas City Star, Oct. 26, 2014
Dallas Voice, Oct. 31, 2014
The New York Times, June 15, 2020
Wikipedia
+++
For more information see Wikipedia: Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda.
"Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda, 590 U.S. ___ (2020), was a landmark United States Supreme Court case which ruled that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 employees could not be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity."
More:
https://time.com/5617310/zarda-supreme-court-lgbtq/
https://dallasvoice.com/donald-zarda-recognized-by-medical-organization/
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