Such sad news. What a tribute to Gay activism! At least Phyllis and Del were legally able to marry. Now let us make sure her efforts are not wasted. LET's defeat Prop 8 in California and make sure her marriage is not annulled after her death.
Lesbian activist Del Martin dies at 87 -- Queer Lesbian Gay News -- Gay.com
World-renowned lesbian activist Dorothy L. (Del) Martin died Wednesday at UCSF Hospice in San Francisco.
An eloquent organizer for civil rights, civil liberties and human dignity, Del Martin created and helped shape the modern LGBT and feminist movements. She was a woman of extraordinary courage, persistence, intelligence, humor and fundamental decency who refused to be silenced by fear and never stopped fighting for equality.
Her last public political act, on June 16, 2008, was to marry Phyllis Lyon, her partner of 55 years. They were the first couple to wed in San Francisco after the California Supreme Court recognized that marriage for same-sex couples is a fundamental right in a case brought by plaintiffs including Martin and Lyon.
A broken arm two weeks ago exacerbated Martin's existing health problems, said Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
Martin is survived by her spouse, 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 LGBT family.
Born in San Francisco on May 5, 1921, Dorothy L. Taliaferro, or Del, as she would come to be known, was salutatorian of the first graduating class of George Washington High School and went on to study journalism at the University of California at Berkeley.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Lesbian activist Del Martin dies at 87 -- Queer Lesbian Gay News -- Gay.com
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So so sad. She was a hero and an icon. Let's let this spur us on to fight Prop 8. We have to work to make good come out of this. -- JM
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