J.D. Disalvatore, the groundbreaking lesbian producer of LGBT themed films and an animal rights and gay rights activist, died today.
Her films include “Shelter” (2007), “Eating Out 2” (2006), “A Marine Story” (2010), “Gay Propaganda” and “Elena Undone.”
Disalvatore was a frequent writer about LGBT films for a wide array of publications targeting that community. Some of her writing still can be found on her old blog, “The Smoking Cocktail.” She had worked as festival manager for Outfest, the L.A. gay and lesbian film festival.
In 2009, Disalvatore was honored by the L.A. LGBT Center in 2009 with its LACE (Lesbians and bisexual women active in Community Empowerment) award.
Disalvatore previously served on the board of the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and was president of the former Frontiers Foundation.
She also was a strong advocate for animal rights. She produced a documentary entitled “How To Save A Dog” that offered a look into animal rescue efforts.
A number of years ago Disalvatore was diagnosed with terminal stage IV cancer, which was the cause of her death.
