Del Martin (left), 87, and her partner of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, 83, cut their wedding cake after being married June 16 by in San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, standing behind them. AP photo: Eric Rosberg.
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Friday, August 29, 2008
Iconic gay rights activist Del Martin died Wednesday in San Francisco. She was 87. Her lifelong partner and spouse, Phyllis Lyon, was at her side.
They were married in California on June 16, 2008, after 55 years together and became a symbol of the struggle for same-sex marriage rights in their state and around the country.
Martin was one of the nation’s first and most prominent lesbian rights activists.
“Today the LGBT movement lost a real hero,” said Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “For all of Del’s life, she was an activist and organizer even before we knew what those terms meant. Her last act of public activism was her most personal — marrying the love of her life after 55 years. In the wake of losing her, we recognize with heightened clarity the most poignant and responsible way to honor her legacy is to preserve the right of marriage for same-sex couples, thereby providing the dignity and respect that Del and Phyllis’ love deserved.”
In 1955, Lyon and Martin helped found the Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian rights group and a year later created “The Ladder,” the first lesbian newsletter. In 2004, Lyon and Martin became the first same-sex couple to be married in the state of California by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, and later became plaintiffs in the California marriage case.
“Del lived her life with great compassion, wit, tenacity, generosity, and valor,” said Donna Hitchens, founder of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, in a statement. “She inspired thousands of us to be more courageous and energetic than we thought possible. When faced with moments of fatigue, laziness or weakness, one had only to ask – ‘What would Del and Phyllis do?’ While she will be greatly missed, her legacy will be cherished forever.”
Editors’ note: A look back at martin’s life’s work and community reaction to her death will appear in next week’s Blade.
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