Del Martin (1921-2008)
Today we mourn the loss of one of our greatest LGBT community leaders, Del Martin, who passed away early in the morning on Wednesday, August 27th at UCSF Hospice in San Francisco. Del was the co-founder of the oldest lesbian rights organization in the U.S., The Daughters of Bilitis, along with her partner of more than fifty years, Phyllis Lyon.
Del’s accomplishments were many; her commitment to social change tremendous. She was a trailblazing leader not just in the LGBT movement but was also a pioneer in the Women’s movement (she was the first out lesbian on the board of directors of the National Organization for Women) and in the Democratic Party (she and Phyllis co-founded the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club). For a lengthy and inspiring overview of Del’s many, many undertakings over the years please read her bio page at GLBTQ.com.
Del and Phyllis were profiled in the documentary, NO SECRET ANYMORE: THE TIMES OF DEL MARTIN & PHYLLIS LYON. Directed by JEB, the film is not yet available on DVD but is distributed by Frameline.
Del’s most recent political commitment was to the same-sex marriage struggle — she and Phyllis were the first couple to be wed at San Francisco City Hall in February 2004 (sparking the Winter of Love) and they were married again on June 16th of this year — the first same-sex couple to be wed following the California Supreme Court ruling recognizing the right for same sex couples to marry.
A memorial and tribute are currently being organized. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in honor of Del to the NCLR “No On 8″ PAC at www.nclrights.org/NoOn8.
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