Pioneering LGBT Activist Del Martin, who married Phyllis Lyon, her partner of 55 years, in June on the first day same-sex couples in California gained that right, died Wednesday at the age of 87.
LOS ANGELES, (PRNewswire-USNewswire) -- In response to the loss of heroic and pioneering LGBT activist Del Martin, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Chief Executive Officer Lorri L. Jean issued the following statement:
"My heart goes out to Phyllis Lyon for the loss of Del Martin, her soul mate and beloved wife, with whom she shared her life for 55 years. Del's passing is a tremendous loss to Phyllis and to the LGBT community and to everyone who stands for the values she cherished and fought for throughout her life: equality and justice."
"Along with Phyllis, Del was a courageous civil rights pioneer. From co- founding the first lesbian rights organization and publishing the first lesbian newsletter to being among the first in California to legally marry her same-sex partner, Del has been at the forefront of our movement.
"She helped to lay the groundwork for much of the progress we have enjoyed and the impact of her visionary leadership will continue.
"On a personal note, Del made an invaluable difference in my life. In 1979 when I was first becoming aware of my sexual orientation, I went to my university library in fear and desperation, searching for something that could help me. There I found only one book on the topic, Lesbian/Woman, the book that Del co-authored with Phyllis. I took the book off the shelf but was afraid to check it out. So, I hid in the library and read it from cover to cover. For the first time, I felt like I wasn't alone. Their ground-breaking work helped me to begin to accept myself and get over my fear. I'll always be grateful to Del and Phyllis for being there for me and for countless other lesbians."
"You will be greatly missed, Del, but never forgotten."
In lieu of flowers, Phyllis has requested gifts honoring Del go to the National Center for Lesbian Rights No on 8/NCLR Social Justice Fund at http://www.nclrights.org/NoOn8. These contributions will help fight Proposition 8, which would eliminate the right to marry for same-sex couples in California.
Source: L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
More Related News:
- Lesbian rights pioneer Del Martin dies at 87 (San Francisco Chronicle)
- Lesbian activist who fought for marriage rights dies (CNN)
