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Billy Manes, Voice For Orlando's Gay Community After Pulse Shooting, Dies at 45

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Copyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit KELLY MCEVERS, HOST: Someone we have heard on this program over the last year died suddenly on Friday. Billy Manes was a leader in Orlando's gay community. He edited the city's LGBT newspaper, Watermark. Our cohost, Ari Shapiro, has this remembrance. ARI SHAPIRO, BYLINE: If you're picturing a grizzled and jaded newspaper editor, erase that image. Billy Manes crackled with energy. Platinum blond hair seemed to shoot off his head like an explosion in an old "Road Runner" cartoon. His clothes added to the effect, like a favorite vintage leather jacket in bright lemon yellow. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED BROADCAST) SHAPIRO: Billy. BILLY MANES: Hi, Ari. SHAPIRO: Hi. MANES: It's nice to meet you. SHAPIRO: The first time I met Billy was just over a year ago. It was one of the most difficult times in Orlando's history - days after a gunman killed 49 people at a gay club. Billy Manes was an anchor and a voice for a community that needed both. And even in the

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