SFGate: Lesbian activist Del Martin honored at City Hall

[Kadie]

Lesbian activist Del Martin honored at City Hall

Rachel Gordon, Chronicle Staff Writer

Wednesday, October 1, 2008


(10-01) 18:49 PDT -- In 1959, civil rights activist Del Martin risked arrest to help convene the first-known lesbian convention.

Today, nearly half a century later, an honor guard made up of police, fire and sheriff's deputies helped celebrate her life at a packed memorial service inside San Francisco City Hall.

"There is not a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person on this planet whose life is not better because of Del Martin," Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, told the overflow gathering.

Martin, 87, died in San Francisco on Aug. 27 - less than three months after she and her partner of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, were among the first same-sex couples to legally wed in California, putting a public face on a social and political battle being waged in statehouses, courtrooms, voting booths and at the pulpit.

There was only one overt mention of the state ballot measure that asks voters to decide whether to overrule the state Supreme Court and write a same-sex marriage ban into the California Constitution.

"Out of respect for (Martin's) work and for her legacy, each of us needs to double our commitment to ensure that on Nov. 4, Phyl and Del's marriage will be upheld by the voters," said Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco.

more...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/01/BANG139ROB.DTL&tsp=1

Lesbian activist Del Martin honored at City Hall
A public memorial service for lesbian rights pioneer Del Martin, who died last month, is held at San Francisco City Hall on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 in San Francisco, Calif. (Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle)


Lesbian activist Del Martin honored at City Hall
Phyllis Lyon (center) listens to speakers during a public memorial service for lesbian rights pioneer Del Martin, who died last month. It was held at San Francisco City Hall on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 in San Francisco, Calif. (Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle)

[pinto]

1. Nice piece on the City Hall memorial and great pics. Thanks for the post.

:thumbsup: