COLAGE News Blog

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COLAGE Mourns the Passing of Del Martin Aug 27 08

COLAGE JOINS THE LGBT COMMUNITY IN MOURNING THE LOSS OF BELOVED CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER DEL MARTIN, 87


(San Francisco, California, August 27, 2008) Today, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community lost an iconic leader and a beloved friend. Del Martin, 87, passed away in San Francisco with Phyllis Lyon, her lifelong partner and spouse, by her side. COLAGE celebrates the lifetime of activism of a hero of our community and expresses our gratitude to Del and Phyllis for their long-time support of COLAGE.

Martin was one of the nation's first and most visible lesbian rights activists who dedicated her life to combating homophobia, sexism, violence, and racism. She is survived by spouse Phyllis Lyon, daughter Kendra Mon, son-in-law Eugene Lane, granddaughter Lorraine Mon, grandson Kevin Mon, sister-in-law Patricia Lyon and a vast, loving and grateful lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender family.

"Today the LGBT movement has lost a true community treasure and role model," reflected Beth Teper, COLAGE Executive Director. "I am reminded of the amazing chutzpah of Del and Phyllis. From an early age they recognized their right to love freely, to organize their community and to advocate for their rights. I have always appreciated Del and Phyllis' long-time moral, emotional and material support of COLAGE and their recognition of the importance of youth and adults with LGBT parents in our movement. Our thoughts are with Phyllis and Kendra during this time of grieving and with the entire community as we reflect on Del's amazing contributions to social justice and LGBT rights."

Martin began working as an activist after receiving her degree in journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. While working on a newspaper in Seattle, Martin met her partner Phyllis Lyon and the two began working on behalf of lesbians in their community. Martin and Lyon have devoted their lives to working towards LGBT equality, healthcare access, advocacy on behalf of battered women, and issues facing elderly Americans. Their many contributions over the past five decades helped shape the modern LGBT movement.

In 1955, Lyon and Martin were among the founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian rights organization. In 1956, they launched "The Ladder," the first lesbian newsletter, which became a lifeline for hundreds of women isolated and silenced by the restrictions of the era. Del Martin was the first openly lesbian woman elected to the board of the National Organization of Women (NOW), and in 1971, encouraged the board to pass a resolution stating that lesbian issues were feminist issues. In 1995, Martin and Lyon were named delegates to the White House Conference on Aging by Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. In 2004, Lyon and Martin became the first same-sex couple to be married in the state of California, and subsequently became plaintiffs in the California marriage case, helping to ensure that the fundamental right to marry under the California Constitution belongs to all couples, including same-sex couples.

Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were married in California on June 16, 2008 after 55 years together.

"Ever since I met Del 55 years ago, I could never imagine a day would come when she wouldn’t be by my side. I am so lucky to have known her, loved her, and been her partner in all things," Lyon said. "I also never imagined there would be day that we would actually be able to get married. 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."

Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made to honor Del's life and commitment and to marriage equality through NCLR's No On 8 PAC.

You can learn more about Del Martin's powerful legacy through the film No Secret Anymore: The Times of Del Martin & Phyllis Lyon which you can buy from Frameline.

Measure aimed at banning gays from adopting kids is cleared for Arkansas ballot Aug 26 08

A proposal aimed at effectively banning gays and lesbians from becoming foster or adoptive parents was cleared Monday to appear on this fall's ballot in Arkansas.
The measure would prohibit unmarried couples living together from fostering or adopting children, and Arkansas doesn't allow gays to marry or recognize gay marriages conducted elsewhere.

Secretary of State Charlie Daniels certified the proposed initiated act for the Nov. 4 ballot after verifying that the Arkansas Family Council Action Committee had submitted 85,389 valid signatures of registered voters. Supporters needed to turn in at least 61,974 valid signatures.'Arkansas needs to affirm the importance of married mothers and fathers,' Family Council President Jerry Cox said. 'We need to publicly affirm the gold standard of rearing children whenever we can. The state standard should be as close to that gold standard of married mom and dad homes as possible.' The Family Council campaign is a response to a 2006 Arkansas Supreme Court decision striking down a state policy that specifically banned gays and lesbians from becoming foster parents.

The ballot measure would take the place of a state policy that currently bars unmarried couples living together from serving as foster parents.

The measure faces the threat of a lawsuit from groups who say that it unfairly discriminates against unmarried couples and limits the number of foster and adoptive homes available for children.

Arkansas Families First is campaigning against the measure and has said it plans to file a lawsuit to keep it from appearing on the November ballot. Debbie Willhite, a lead consultant for the group, said last week that the group has found signatures that should have been rejected by the state as invalid and that the group also plans to challenge the constitutionality of the measure.'We're going to work very hard to defeat this because it is just bad policy for children,' Willhite said.Attorney General Dustin McDaniel opposes the proposed initiated act but said last week that he was confident it could survive a legal challenge.

If you are a youth or adult with LGBTQ parents who lives in Arkansas and would be interested and willing to do media, public speaking, or other advocacy in relation to the bill, please contact COLAGE Program Director, Meredith Fenton.

SONG Anniversary Event Aug 21 08

5 Years of SONG means 15 years of LGBTQ people in the South working to vision a new world, transforming to make that world possible, struggling for justice, and persisting in hope when freedom seems impossible. OUR COMMUNITIES ARE THE REAL REASON TO CELEBRATE!

For the 15th anniversary we are hosting parties all over the country, doing a quote-collecting project to document the wisdom of members, and hosting a HUGE LGBTQ SOUTHERN-STYLE FAMILY REUNION IN DURHAM, NC SEP 19-21, 2008.

JOIN US FOR A HOMECOMING IN DURHAM, SEPTEMBER 19-21, 2008

YOU SHOULD COME IF YOU:
…are feeling isolated from other LGBTQ folk who believe Another World Is Possible.
…are longing to be with LGBTQ Family who desire us ALL to feel whole and be free from all oppression.
…are inspired by SONG and our awesome members and want to celebrate the 15th Anniversary with other LGBTQ folks and allies.
…Want to meet other wonderful LGBTQ folks of color, immigrants, and working class folk of many ages, abilities, and persuasions!

Want to know more about the 15th anniversary or register to join SONG for this special event? Visit their website!