Former Minnesota state senator Allan H. Spear died Saturday, the Associated Press reports. Spear, 71, became one of the nation’s first openly gay elected officials after he came out during an interview with Minneapolis Star in 1974.

During the seventies, Spear began working on legislation that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. The legislation passed in 1993.

“Allan Spear’s decision to come out as gay while serving as an elected state senator in 1974 was an immensely important moment in the struggle for equality for gay Americans,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. “As one of the first openly gay elected officials in the country, he chose service over silence and proved that honesty and openness could overcome fear and hatred.  The Victory Fund is saddened by his passing, but we will continue to honor his life and memory through our work.”

Openly gay Minnesota state senator Scott Dibble also mourned Spear’s passing.

“Allan was a cherished friend, a mentor and a hero. His passion for economic and social justice was unwavering. He taught us all by his example, that politics could be a force for good in people’s lives. He lived a life of courage and honesty,” Dibble said. “A huge voice for civil rights has left, but the echoes of his words will reverberate forever in our laws and in the justice he helped bring about.”

In addition to being the first non-attorney to lead the Senate Judiciary Committee, Spear served as the Senate’s president from 1993 to 2000.

“Without a doubt, everyone who served with him would rank him as one of the brightest members who served,” former state Sen. Roger Moe said. Moe served as majority leader while Spear was president.

“Knowledge is power, and because of that he had the ability to bring people together.”

Spear died of complications after heart surgery, according to a friend.