By Executive Director Geoff Kors
It is with great sadness that I share with you that 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 today. 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. Martin’s many contributions to the LGBT movement will resonate for decades to come.
We are saddened to lose such a wonderful friend to our community and our love goes out to her partner, Phyllis Lyon, and her family during this most difficult time. We would not be at this incredible moment in history, where all couples have equal rights under California law, if it had not been for Del’s lifetime of courage and leadership.
Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were married in California on June 16, 2008 after 55 years together. EQCA honored Del and Phyllis with the Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon Marriage Equality Award in 2003, an award the organization gives every year in their honor.
To read more about the amazing life of Del Martin, click here.
It is so inspiring to read about someone, a woman, in 1950, using her life and her talents to bring about hope and change for people. How incredible it is that she got to marry her female partner before her death. The gay community will miss her.
Journal of an inspired purpose seeker
2 comments:
Del - thanks for paving the way! RIP
It has been so bitter sweet to see all the press about Del here. What a remarkable woman.
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