First openly gay president of Black Journalists group dies

Thomas Morgan III, the first openly gay president of the National Association of Black Journalists and a longtime newsman at The New York Times, has died. He was 56.

The Brooklyn resident died early Monday morning, possibly of a heart attack, while visiting the family of his partner, Thomas Ciano, in Southampton, Mass., Ciano said Wednesday.

"He was a man of many different qualities and talents," Ciano said. "He cared a lot about educating young journalists and the prevention of AIDS. Working to house and care for homeless people. Pottery. Gardening. Politics. Those were his passions."

First openly gay president of Black Journalists group dies
Newsday, NY