Lesbian activist Del Martin dies at 87

[TechBear_Seattle]

Source: Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO - Pioneering lesbian rights activist Del Martin, who married her lifelong partner in June on the first day that same-sex couples here gained that right, has died. She was 87.

Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said Martin died at a San Francisco hospital Wednesday morning, two weeks after a broken arm exacerbated her existing health problems.

Her wife, Phyllis Lyon, was by her side, Kendell said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080827/ap_on_re_us/obit_martin

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Del's passing is a loss: she was one of the original founders of the modern gay rights movement and broke a lot of ground. However, I am glad -- and not just a little bit surprised -- that the AP honored her marriage and referred to Phyllis as her wife with no scare quotes and no euphemisms.

She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

[eleny]

1. Rest in peace, Del

My condolences to Phyllis Lyon.

[bigscott]

2. God Damn It

one of the most inspiring pictures I have ever seen was of her and her partner after they were officially married. DAMN. May she rest in peace knowing she has blazed a trail for the rest of us
:cry:

[BrklynLiberal]

6. It was an amazing pic of a devoted couple..

[Divine Discontent]

3. an honest life...

deserves an honest and hearty THANK YOU!


MORE AT www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable

[Botany]

4. Her wife, Phyllis Lyon, was by her side, Kendell said.

Family Values!

[sinkingfeeling]

5. Very sad. At least Phyllis is recognized properly.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. awwww jeez

I read the headline and got teary, surprised me.
Those two brave women were a major source of inspiration and my subsequent career as a community organizer, in the 70's.
Brave brave souls.

god, I am really sad to hear this.
And angry that they had to wait so long to become "legal" partners in life.

:cry: :cry:

[ronnykmarshall]

8. My heart is broken right now.

:cry:

I never met her face to face ... but I used to see her and her wife at SF Pride a lot.

It's like losing a grandmother.

:cry:

[TechBear_Seattle]

9. Please donate in Del Martin's memory

Someone at Pam's House Blend suggested donating to the No On 8 campaign in California in memory of Del Martin and her work. As you no doubt know, Initiative 8 is a constitutional amendment which would strip same-sex couples of their right to marry.

If you live in California and there is a local organization in your town, please offer your time and resources. Otherwise, donate what you can to http://www.eqca.org/site/pp.asp?c=kuLRJ9MRKrH&b=4375153">Equality California.


(Why can't I catch spelling and grammar errors before I post?)

[Mad_Dem_X]

10. Lesbian Activist Del Martin has died

Source: Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Pioneering lesbian rights activist Del Martin, who married her lifelong partner in June on the first day that same-sex couples here gained that right, has died. She was 87.

Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j99CR_xFNomdLxJhwGL5d5qvUdCQD92QQEQO0

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May she rest in peace. I am glad she was finally able to marry her longtime love.

[Parche]

11. How Sad

She wasnt able to do that until June of this year, at least they had time together

:hi: :hug;

[Tangerine LaBamba]

12. She waited just long enough

Dream fulfilled, a life well-lived, she died in love.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

[ReadTomPaine]

25. "Dream fulfilled, a life well-lived, she died in love."

These were my thoughts as well. Nicely said. :thumbsup:

[DesertFlower]

13. RIP. nt

[foxeyes2]

14. How sad

My heart goes out to her wife and all her loved ones. We younger folks owe her a big debt for her hard work on our behalf. May she rest in peace.

[Lucky 13]

15. Very sad.

I am grateful for all she's done.

[davidinalameda]

16. here's the link to the SF Chronicle story

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/27/BAGI12JDIS.DTL&tsp=1

God bless her and her family

she was a true pioneer for all of us

[MsLeopard]

17. RIP Del n/t

[joeybee12]

18. How sad, but it's great she got to marry her partner...

...she and her partner founded the first lesbian advocacy group in this country. RIP

[AnnieBW]

19. May the Goddess Welcome Her With Open Arms

Goddess bless you, Del. I'm a straight woman from the East Coast, but I cried when I saw those two cute little old ladies getting married. I'm so glad that she was able to realize her dream.

[JoFerret]

20. A hero, a pioneer, a groundbreaker

We all owe a debt of gratitude for her courage.

[ThomCat]

21. Goodbye, Del Martin.

You forged a trail that helped us get where we are. If all goes well (and even if it doesn't) we'll keep widening that trail into a road. We'll get there.

I'm sorry you won't be here to see it.

[IndianaGreen]

22. RIP Del

A woman that changed our lives for the better. :-(

[littlebit]

23. How sad

Atleast she went with her wife by her side.

[Ellen Forradalom]

24. Blessings on you Del

May the rest of us show a fraction of your courage.

[bean fidhleir]

26. aw hell. what rotten news.

damn.

it's cold comfort to say "at least she died married", but they did have that, finally.

damn.