John E. Cereso

John Emil Cereso was born on December 29, 1966. Before entering the law, he served in the United States Air Force, where his primary tour took him to Clear Air Force Station in Alaska, tracking satellites and standing watch for signs of a surprise missile strike over the North Pole. A highly decorated enlisted serviceman, Sergeant Cereso was honored as his Air Wing's Airman of the Year. He was also an accomplished trombonist who toured the country with the U.S. Air Force Stars of Sound and belonged to the Phi Mu Alpha musical fraternity.

After his military service, John became a licensed attorney in Nevada and New Jersey, and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. Practicing in the Las Vegas and Henderson area through his Nevada Law Group, he built a career that combined private practice with a deep commitment to public service, setting up legal clinics for low-income individuals and performing pro bono work on behalf of at-risk children in the legal system.

John was widely regarded as a crusader for LGBT rights in Nevada, winning early victories that included visitation rights for gay men, inheritance rights for gay and lesbian domestic partners, and adoption rights for gay and lesbian couples. A visible public voice on these issues, he offered commentary on landmark court decisions such as the 2013 case of Hollingsworth v. Perry. He died on May 28, 2014, at the age of 47.