A Pioneer Passes

First, if you want to read coverage of the Obama speech and last night of convention go here. It really is the best coverage out there.
Now, to the news I want to talk about, the passing of lesbian activist Del Martin. On Wednesday, Del Martin died after a lengthy decline in her health. She passed away with her partner of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, by her side.
"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 am so lucky to have known her, loved her and been her partner in all things."
This year, on June 16, she and Lyon, were legally wed. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom officiated. Theirs was among the first same-sex nuptials in California.
Where They Started
In 1955, with Phyllis and several other women, Del Martin formed Daughters of Bilitis (DOB), the first national organization for lesbians in the United States. DOB was formed because the women felt that their causes were not being dealt with in the male-dominated gay rights groups of the time. DOB created a space for lesbians to meet outside of the bars and work for equality.
Recently...
"We would never have marriage equality in California if it weren't for Del and Phyllis," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the San Francisco Democrat. "They fought and triumphed in many battles, beginning when they first bought a home together in San Francisco in 1955."
Pelosi called the death of Ms. Martin "a great loss for me personally and for our entire community."
In 1995, Sen. Dianne Feinstein named her as a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging, where she and Lyon, a delegate appointed by Pelosi, focused attention on the needs of aging gays and lesbians.
Feinstein said Wednesday, "Del and Phyllis were a loving couple, cherished by an entire community. They inspired so many, young and old."
On a Personal Note
Some years back, I had the honor of meeting both of these women. At the time, I was working in a now gone out of business lesbian/feminist bookstore named Inklings. I don't rememeber why Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were in town, maybe it was a gay pride event. Anyway, Pokey Anderson owned and managed the bookstore and she was kind enough to include me in dinner plans. While I now don't really remember the particulars of the converations, I do remember being in absolute awe of these two pioneering women. The courage it must have taken to do the things they did.
( Del Martin is on the left in the photo below)

So, a sad day in the gay and lesbian world. Because of Del Martin, we all have it a bit easier. It may not seem that way at times, but we do.