The founder of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will speak to members of the Family Equality Coalition at their general membership meeting 10 a.m. to noon tomorrow at Unity Church Hawaii.

Cleve Jones also was a former aide to San Francisco Board of Supervisor Harvey Milk, whose story is told in the film "Milk," now in theaters.

Today, Jones works as an organizer for UNITE HERE, the international union representing textile, hotel, casino and restaurant workers, fighting for access to health care, safe working conditions and human rights.

The Family Equality Coalition is a new statewide Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender organization dedicated to securing equal rights for them and their families in Hawai'i.

Cleve's career as an activist began in San Francisco during the turbulent 1970s when he was befriended by pioneer gay rights leader Milk. Following Milk's election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Cleve worked as a student intern in Milk's office while studying political science at San Francisco State University. Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were assassinated on Nov. 27, 1978.

Local 5, UNITE HERE's Hawaii affiliate is sponsoring Jones' Hawaii visit.