If you didn’t know Mike Ritter personally, chances are you knew his work. He was an incredible political cartoonist who did not hold back when it came to skewering anti-gay politicians and ideas.
A year ago, on March 30, Mike, the art director for the Georgia Voice, died from an anureusym. It was shocking and heartbreaking for all of us at the newspaper and of course to all his friends and loved ones. We all loved Mike. I know I still miss him every day, with his goofy grin, his political rants, and his lengthy stories of everything from history, sex, parties, family, and religion that he regaled to anybody within earshot.
Mike graduated from Arizona State University, where he went on to become an award-winning cartoonist at a state newspaper. His best friends and colleagues there are establishing a scholarship in his name.
There will be a temporary display of Mike’s work in the ASU Cronkite School of Journalism lobby, and also an unveiling of a permanent exhibit in the State Press newsroom at an April 3 ceremony at the university.
Mike was an LGBT activist and journalist; with his work he shamed those who needed it. With his work he made those of who worked with him proud
Mike, you were a dear man.
To donate: Mike Ritter Memorial Scholarship Account No. 30006319 c/o ASU Foundation, P.O. Box 2260, Tempe, AZ 85280-2260.
Read a moving tribute to Mike by his best friend, Will Alford, by clicking here.
Here's Mike's obituary.
I wrote an editorial remembering Mike.
Some of his wonderful cartoons that tackled national and local LGBT issues, scandals and controversies: