From 1993 to 1995, Jeri Dilno held the position of Editor at the Gay and Lesbian Times (GLT) at a time during the AIDS crisis when organizations such as ACT UP and Queer Nation held large protests. A dedicated journalist, Dilno once posed as a straight couple alongside Mel Merril to attend a conservative church meeting that was held to discuss the overturning of the Human Dignity Ordinance. Dilno has received a great deal of recognition for her political involvement and activism, including being one of the Grand Marshalls—alongside Jess Jessop—in the 1989 San Diego Pride parade, having March 25, 2006 declared “Jeri Dilno Day” by Mayor Maureen O’Connor, and receiving many awards such as the Harvey Milk Award at the 1988 Nickys, the 1990 Jess Jessop memorial Founders Award from The Center, and the Susan B. Anthony Achievement Award from the San Diego chapter of NOW.

Jeri Dilno was born and raised in San Diego. Dilno joined the Airforce after attending San Diego State University in 1958, however she received a dishonorable discharge in 1961 after being investigated, along with eight others, for being gay. Dilno was the only one to fight the charges and later had her dishonorable discharge changed to honorable, establishing her commitment to pursuing LGBT Rights. After living in Philadelphia for a brief time, Dilno returned to San Diego and helped found the first organized San Diego Pride march in 1975. Dilno served as the first female Executive Director of The Center from 1975 to 1977 and chaired the board of The Center from 1978 to 1980. Dilno also served as the President of the San Diego Democratic Club from 1987 to 1991, the co-chair of the LGBT Democratic Caucus from 1989 to 1991, and a delegate at the National Democratic Convention in 1988, 1992, and 2000. From 1993 to 1995, Dilno held the position of Editor at the Gay and Lesbian Times (GLT) at a time during the AIDS crisis when organizations such as ACT UP and Queer Nation held large protests. A dedicated journalist, Dilno once posed as a straight couple alongside Mel Merril to attend a conservative church meeting that was held to discuss the overturning of the Human Dignity Ordinance. Dilno has received a great deal of recognition for her political involvement and activism, including being one of the Grand Marshalls—alongside Jess Jessop—in the 1989 San Diego Pride parade, having March 25, 2006 declared “Jeri Dilno Day” by Mayor Maureen O’Connor, and receiving many awards such as the Harvey Milk Award at the 1988 Nickys, the 1990 Jess Jessop memorial Founders Award from The Center, and the Susan B. Anthony Achievement Award from the San Diego chapter of NOW.

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