I cried a little.
Today the LGBTQ community and the world lost an LGBTQ human rights
pioneer in 87 year-old Del Martin, who passed away at home in San
Francisco, with her spouse of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon at her side. The
Safe Schools Coalition joins Phyllis and their family in our
appreciation for the gift she was to us all.
Articles here:
http://www.mercurynews.com/samesexmarriage/ci_10316606
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/27/BAGI12JDIS.D
TL&tsp=1
Here is a statement from COLAGE, Children of Lesbians and
Gays Everywhere:
Today, COLAGE Joins the LGBT community in mourning the loss of
beloved Civil rights leader Del Martin, 87
Today, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)
community lost an iconic leader and a beloved friend. Del Martin, 87,
passed away in San Francisco with Phyllis Lyon, her lifelong partner and
spouse, by her side. COLAGE celebrates the lifetime of activism of a
hero of our community and expresses our gratitude to Del and Phyllis for
their long-time support of COLAGE.
Martin was one of the nation's first and most visible lesbian
rights activists who dedicated her life to combating homophobia, sexism,
violence, and racism. She is survived by spouse Phyllis Lyon, daughter
Kendra Mon, son-in-law Eugene Lane, granddaughter Lorraine Mon, grandson
Kevin Mon, sister-in-law Patricia Lyon and a vast, loving and grateful
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender family.
"Today the LGBT movement has lost a true community treasure and
role model," reflected Beth Teper, COLAGE Executive Director. "I am
reminded of the amazing chutzpah of Del and Phyllis. From an early age
they recognized their right to love freely, to organize their community
and to advocate for their rights. I have always appreciated Del and
Phyllis' long-time moral, emotional and material support of COLAGE and
their recognition of the importance of youth and adults with LGBT
parents in our movement. Our thoughts are with Phyllis and Kendra during
this time of grieving and with the entire community as we reflect on
Del's amazing contributions to social justice and LGBT rights."
Martin began working as an activist after receiving her degree
in journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. While
working on a newspaper in Seattle, Martin met her partner Phyllis Lyon
and the two began working on behalf of lesbians in their community.
Martin and Lyon have devoted their lives to working towards LGBT
equality, healthcare access, advocacy on behalf of battered women, and
issues facing elderly Americans. Their many contributions over the past
five decades helped shape the modern LGBT movement.
In 1955, Lyon and Martin were among the founders of the
Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian rights organization. In 1956,
they launched "The Ladder," the first lesbian newsletter, which became a
lifeline for hundreds of women isolated and silenced by the restrictions
of the era. Del Martin was the first openly lesbian woman elected to the
board of the National Organization of Women (NOW), and in 1971,
encouraged the board to pass a resolution stating that lesbian issues
were feminist issues. In 1995, Martin and Lyon were named delegates to
the White House Conference on Aging by Senator Dianne Feinstein and
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. In 2004, Lyon and Martin became the first
same-sex couple to be married in the state of California, and
subsequently became plaintiffs in the California marriage case, helping
to ensure that the fundamental right to marry under the California
Constitution belongs to all couples, including same-sex couples.
Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were married in California on June
16, 2008 after 55 years together.
"Ever since I met Del 55 years ago, I could never imagine a day
would come when she wouldn't be by my side. I am so lucky to have known
her, loved her, and been her partner in all things," Lyon said. "I also
never imagined there would be day that we would actually be able to get
married. I am devastated, but I take some solace in knowing we were able
to enjoy the ultimate rite of love and commitment before she passed."
Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made to honor Del's life and
commitment and to marriage equality through NCLR's No On 8 PAC.
You can learn more about Del Martin's powerful legacy through
the film No Secret Anymore: The Life and Times of Del Martin and Phyllis
Lyon.
pioneer in 87 year-old Del Martin, who passed away at home in San
Francisco, with her spouse of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon at her side. The
Safe Schools Coalition joins Phyllis and their family in our
appreciation for the gift she was to us all.
Articles here:
http://www.mercurynews.com/samesexmarriage/ci_10316606
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/27/BAGI12JDIS.D
TL&tsp=1
Here is a statement from COLAGE, Children of Lesbians and
Gays Everywhere:
Today, COLAGE Joins the LGBT community in mourning the loss of
beloved Civil rights leader Del Martin, 87
Today, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)
community lost an iconic leader and a beloved friend. Del Martin, 87,
passed away in San Francisco with Phyllis Lyon, her lifelong partner and
spouse, by her side. COLAGE celebrates the lifetime of activism of a
hero of our community and expresses our gratitude to Del and Phyllis for
their long-time support of COLAGE.
Martin was one of the nation's first and most visible lesbian
rights activists who dedicated her life to combating homophobia, sexism,
violence, and racism. She is survived by spouse Phyllis Lyon, daughter
Kendra Mon, son-in-law Eugene Lane, granddaughter Lorraine Mon, grandson
Kevin Mon, sister-in-law Patricia Lyon and a vast, loving and grateful
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender family.
"Today the LGBT movement has lost a true community treasure and
role model," reflected Beth Teper, COLAGE Executive Director. "I am
reminded of the amazing chutzpah of Del and Phyllis. From an early age
they recognized their right to love freely, to organize their community
and to advocate for their rights. I have always appreciated Del and
Phyllis' long-time moral, emotional and material support of COLAGE and
their recognition of the importance of youth and adults with LGBT
parents in our movement. Our thoughts are with Phyllis and Kendra during
this time of grieving and with the entire community as we reflect on
Del's amazing contributions to social justice and LGBT rights."
Martin began working as an activist after receiving her degree
in journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. While
working on a newspaper in Seattle, Martin met her partner Phyllis Lyon
and the two began working on behalf of lesbians in their community.
Martin and Lyon have devoted their lives to working towards LGBT
equality, healthcare access, advocacy on behalf of battered women, and
issues facing elderly Americans. Their many contributions over the past
five decades helped shape the modern LGBT movement.
In 1955, Lyon and Martin were among the founders of the
Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian rights organization. In 1956,
they launched "The Ladder," the first lesbian newsletter, which became a
lifeline for hundreds of women isolated and silenced by the restrictions
of the era. Del Martin was the first openly lesbian woman elected to the
board of the National Organization of Women (NOW), and in 1971,
encouraged the board to pass a resolution stating that lesbian issues
were feminist issues. In 1995, Martin and Lyon were named delegates to
the White House Conference on Aging by Senator Dianne Feinstein and
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. In 2004, Lyon and Martin became the first
same-sex couple to be married in the state of California, and
subsequently became plaintiffs in the California marriage case, helping
to ensure that the fundamental right to marry under the California
Constitution belongs to all couples, including same-sex couples.
Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were married in California on June
16, 2008 after 55 years together.
"Ever since I met Del 55 years ago, I could never imagine a day
would come when she wouldn't be by my side. I am so lucky to have known
her, loved her, and been her partner in all things," Lyon said. "I also
never imagined there would be day that we would actually be able to get
married. I am devastated, but I take some solace in knowing we were able
to enjoy the ultimate rite of love and commitment before she passed."
Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made to honor Del's life and
commitment and to marriage equality through NCLR's No On 8 PAC.
You can learn more about Del Martin's powerful legacy through
the film No Secret Anymore: The Life and Times of Del Martin and Phyllis
Lyon.