It is with deep sorrow that we remember the passing of Francine Beppu, a cherished member of the Hawaiʻi LGBTQ+ community, accomplished media professional, and dedicated team member of the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation. Francine’s death has left a profound void among those who knew her, loved her, and were inspired by her lifelong commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and visibility.
Francine was widely recognized for her passionate work in both media and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Over the years, she became a trusted voice — not only within Hawaiʻi but also to those who followed her journey through television and community initiatives. She first gained broad public attention as part of the cast of the reality television series The Real L Word, where her authenticity, courage, and articulate voice helped bring queer stories and experiences into millions of living rooms across the country, breaking barriers and fostering understanding.
Born and raised with a spirit of curiosity and a drive to make a difference, Francine embarked on a career that blended media, technology, and community outreach. Her professional pursuits included strategic roles in entertainment and digital media, and she was widely admired for her ability to bridge creative storytelling with meaningful impact. Alongside her work in media, Francine devoted countless hours to service and leadership within Hawaiʻi’s LGBTQ+ community, serving on the board of the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation — an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ individuals, commemorating history, and uniting community members through events like Honolulu Pride.
Within the Foundation, Francine was known for her thoughtful leadership, visionary thinking, and unwavering commitment to building spaces of belonging and joy. Her efforts helped sustain programs that celebrated identity, remembered significant histories, and supported the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people across the islands. To many, she was not just a colleague or advocate — but a mentor, ally, and a bridge between generations of community leaders.
Friends and family fondly recall Francine for her generous heart, warm humor, and the authentic way she lived her truth. She was admired for her courage to be visible in every space she inhabited and her commitment to lifting others up along the way. Whether at community events, behind the camera, or connecting with friends and neighbors, Francine’s presence radiated kindness, empathy, and a belief in the value of every individual’s story.
The news of her passing has inspired an outpouring of grief and remembrance from around Hawaiʻi and beyond. Scores of community members, colleagues, and supporters have expressed how deeply Francine touched their lives — through her advocacy, her voice, and the compassion she extended so freely.
Francine is survived by her loving family, close friends, and a vibrant community whose lives she profoundly shaped. Her legacy endures in the countless hearts she uplifted and the inclusive spaces she helped create.
Plans for a public memorial service to celebrate Francine’s life and contributions are being arranged in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, with details to be shared so that all who wish to honor her memory may do so. In this time of mourning, her family and the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation encourage those whose lives she touched to reflect on her legacy of love, courage, and community.
Francine Beppu will be remembered not only for her trailblazing presence in media and advocacy but for the genuine warmth and spirit she brought to every life she encountered.
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