"His legacy will live on forever"

George Zander , a prominent LGBT rights advocate in Palm Springs, California, died Thursday. He was 71.

Zander served as a regional field manager for the LGBT rights group Equality California, which confirmed his death to The Huffington Post. His death comes just over a month after he and his husband, Chris Zander, were attacked outside a nightclub by men yelling gay slurs.

Zander's husband shared the news on his private Facebook account, local outlets KESQ News and The Desert Sun reported, but did not disclose the cause of Zander's death.

"My husband George Zander passed away this morning in loving arms and in very little pain," he wrote, according to the outlets. "His passion and strength has paved the road for many of us to follow, and build from. His legacy will live on forever. I love this man more than I love life itself, I can only assume that is what true love is."

The LGBT Community Center of the Desert also shared the news of Zander's death on Facebook Thursday, and remembered him as a "radiant soul."

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of George Zander's passing. George was a radiant soul and beloved member of our community. May you rest in peace, dear friend.

Posted by The LGBT Community Center of the Desert on Thursday, December 10, 2015

The Seattle mayor tweeted about Zander's death as well.

In addition to his role at Equality California, Zander was a founding member of the Desert-Stonewall Democrats, a local LGBT political action organization.

Two men were arrested in connection with the attack on Zander, who was hospitalized and needed surgery for a double fracture to his hip.

Also on HuffPost:

18 LGBT Kids And Allies Who Are Way Braver Than We Were At Their Ages

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