Lesbian activist Del Martin, who wed her partner of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, in June in San Francico, dies at 87
Del Martin, left, places a ring on her partner Phyllis Lyon, right, in this June 16, 2008 file photo during their wedding ceremony officiated by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, center, at City Hall in San Francisco. Martin, a pioneering lesbian rights activist who married her lifelong partner on the first day same-sex couples could legally wed in California, has died. She was 87. Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, says Martin died at a San Francisco hospital Wednesday morning two weeks after a broken arm exacerbated her existing health problems.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)Lesbian activist Del Martin dies at 87
SAN FRANCISCO – Pioneering lesbian rights activist Del Martin, who married her longtime partner in June on the first day that California's same-sex couples gained that right, died Wednesday. She was 87.
Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said Martin died at a hospital, two weeks after a broken arm exacerbated existing health problems.
Her wife, Phyllis Lyon, was with her.
"Ever since I met Del 55 years ago, I could never imagine a day would come when she wouldn't be by my side," Lyon, 83, said in a statement.
"I also never imagined there would be a day that we would actually be able to get married," she added. "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."
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, of San Francisco, said Del and Phyllis were instrumental in getting gay marriage legalized.
"We would not have marriage equality in California if it weren't for Del and Phyllis. They fought and triumphed in many battles," Pelosi said. "Through it all, their love and commitment to each other was an inspiration to all who knew them."
Martin and Lyon were married at City Hall on June 16. Mayor Gavin Newsom, who officiated the wedding, singled them out to be the first gay couple to legally exchange vows in the city, in recognition of their long relationship and their status as gay-rights pioneers.
"The greatest way we can honor the life work of Del Martin, is to continue to fight and never give up, until we have achieved equality for all," Newsom said Wednesday.
Martin and Lyon were among the two dozen couples who were plaintiffs in the lawsuits that led the state Supreme Court to overturn California's ban on gay marriage in May.
Along with six other women, they founded a San Francisco social club for lesbians in 1955 called the Daughters of Bilitis after a book of lesbian erotic poetry published in Paris. The group evolved into the nation's first lesbian advocacy organization.
Martin in 1970 wrote an influential article in the Advocate magazine that criticized what she saw as the gay rights movement's persistent chauvinism. She and Lyon together wrote "Lesbian/Woman," a 1972 book that argued lesbians should be seen for more than their sexuality and simultaneously offered a frank, no-nonsense account of lesbian relationships.
A year later, Martin became the first out lesbian to serve on the board of directors of the National Organization for Women, even though opponents within the group feared the impact of having a leader that many in the mainstream still viewed as socially deviant.
Martin was born in San Francisco and had a daughter from a four-year marriage to her college sweetheart.
She is survived by Lyon; her daughter, Kendra Mon, and two grandchildren.
Newsom ordered American flags at City Hall and the rainbow flag in the Castro District to be flown at half-staff. Plans for a public memorial are pending.
Article: HERE
In this March 3, 2008 file photo, Phyllis Lyon, left, and Del Martin are photographed at home in San Francisco. Martin, a pioneering lesbian rights activist who married her lifelong partner on the first day same-sex couples could legally wed in California, has died. She was 87. Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, says Martin died at a San Francisco hospital Wednesday morning Aug. 27, 2008, two weeks after a broken arm exacerbated her existing health problems.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, file)
Octogenarians Del Martin (L) and Phyllis Lyon (R) participate in the first legal same-sex marriage ceremony at San Francisco City Hall in San Francisco, California in this June 16, 2008 file photograph. Martin, a Lesbian activist died on August 27, 2008 at the UCSF hospice in San Francisco with her spouse Lyon at her side according to the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
(Marcio Jose Sanchez/Pool/Files/Reuters)
In this June 16, 2008 file photo, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, center, kisses Del Martin, left, as Martin's partner Phyllis Lyon, right, looks on in a special ceremony at City Hall in San Francisco. Martin, a pioneering lesbian rights activist who married her lifelong partner on the first day same-sex couples could legally wed in California, has died. She was 87. Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, says Martin died at a San Francisco hospital Wednesday morning Aug. 27, 2008, two weeks after a broken arm exacerbated her existing health problems.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, Pool) 
Comments