Sad news: Del Martin has passed away - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

beckyg · 27th Aug 2008, 01:21 PM

My heart is hurting right now. I just got this. I am happy and grateful that Del and Phyllis were blessed with the privelege of marriage even though it was only 2 short months.

It is with great sadness that I share with you that 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. 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. Martin’s many contributions to the LGBT movement will resonate for decades to come.

We are saddened to lose such a wonderful friend to our community and our love goes out to Phyllis and her family during this most difficult time. We would not be at this incredible moment in history, where all couples have equal rights under California law, if it had not been for Del’s lifetime of courage and leadership.

Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were married in California on June 16, 2008 after 55 years together. EQCA honored Del and Phyllis with the Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon Marriage Equality Award in 2003, an award the organization gives every year in their honor.

Del's obituary can be accessed here:

http://www.eqca.org/site/pp.asp?c=kuLRJ9MRKrH&b=4445141

Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made to honor Del’s life and commitment and to defeat the California marriage ban through the National Center for Lesbian Rights NO on 8 committee at www.nclrights.org/NoOn8.

Our community will forever honor Del’s life and legacy.

Respectfully,

Geoff Kors
Executive Director
Equality California

Louise · 27th Aug 2008, 01:51 PM

I don't know who Del Martin was but she seems like a really great lady. I am sorry for your loss and the loss for the homosexual community in general who have lost a guiding light in their fight for equality.

**Gerry** · 27th Aug 2008, 02:06 PM

That's really too bad to hear.

But at least she got to experience marriage, if only for a short while.

excuseyou77 · 27th Aug 2008, 02:11 PM

RIP, that's heartbreaking

Psychedelic Bookmarks · 27th Aug 2008, 02:45 PM

Oh, that's so sad. When I saw their marriage, I remember thinking "Thank goodness - they can't have much more in them!". She lived a wonderful life, one her wife can be proud of.

Wander · 27th Aug 2008, 08:18 PM

I never knew her very well, but it makes me sad to think that she just barely caught the marriage train. Two months is better than no months, I guess, but a year and two months, or ten years and two months...more encouragement to keep pressing on for equal rights across the country.

beckyg · 28th Aug 2008, 05:56 AM

Del's New York Times tribute:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/us...in&oref=slogin

Tim · 28th Aug 2008, 06:30 AM

I saw it on Yahoo's homepage, don't know who she was, but after reading everything, it's quite sad

beckyg · 28th Aug 2008, 06:44 AM

She and Phyllis are one of the main reasons you have marriage equality in California. They were not afraid to live their lives openly. I have the San Francisco newspaper on the day that marriage was legal in California with their front page love story. A friend picked it up for me as she travelled through San Francisco.

lodiug · 28th Aug 2008, 10:08 AM

http://www.nbc11.com/news/17314013/d...01470208272008

Rest in Peace....At least she still got married legally..

**Ben** · 28th Aug 2008, 11:10 AM

I'm glad she got to get married to Phyllis before she passed.

But this is very sad news. I remember reading of her marriage.

KatzInHatz · 28th Aug 2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lodiug

http://www.nbc11.com/news/17314013/d...01470208272008

Rest in Peace....At least she still got married legally..

http://www.emptyclosets.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=14342

Becky already made a thread for her ^.^

beckyg · 28th Aug 2008, 02:32 PM

I've merged the threads....no problem.

27th Aug 2008, 01:21 PM	#1
beckyg PFLAG Mom Community Liaison Gender: Female Orientation: Straight Out Status: Out to everyone/Yes, parents come out too! Location: Middle of Oregon Age: 50 Posts: 7,572 Join Date: Mar 2007	Sad news: Del Martin has passed away My heart is hurting right now. I just got this. I am happy and grateful that Del and Phyllis were blessed with the privelege of marriage even though it was only 2 short months. It is with great sadness that I share with you that 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. 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. Martin’s many contributions to the LGBT movement will resonate for decades to come. We are saddened to lose such a wonderful friend to our community and our love goes out to Phyllis and her family during this most difficult time. We would not be at this incredible moment in history, where all couples have equal rights under California law, if it had not been for Del’s lifetime of courage and leadership. Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were married in California on June 16, 2008 after 55 years together. EQCA honored Del and Phyllis with the Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon Marriage Equality Award in 2003, an award the organization gives every year in their honor. Del's obituary can be accessed here: http://www.eqca.org/site/pp.asp?c=kuLRJ9MRKrH&b=4445141 Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made to honor Del’s life and commitment and to defeat the California marriage ban through the National Center for Lesbian Rights NO on 8 committee at www.nclrights.org/NoOn8. Our community will forever honor Del’s life and legacy. Respectfully, Geoff Kors Executive Director Equality California __________________ "When we're free to love anyone we choose, When this worlds big enough for all different views, When we're all free to worship from our own kind of pew, Then we shall be free" ~ Garth Brooks

27th Aug 2008, 01:51 PM	#2
Louise EC Addict Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Straight/open minded Location: France Age: 47 Posts: 2,120 Join Date: Sep 2007	Re: Sad news: Del Martin has passed away I don't know who Del Martin was but she seems like a really great lady. I am sorry for your loss and the loss for the homosexual community in general who have lost a guiding light in their fight for equality. __________________ I'm a supporter of gay rights... by the time I get through with all the things that I really admire about people, what they do with their private parts is probably so low on the list that it is irrelevant. Paul Newman

27th Aug 2008, 02:06 PM	#3
Gerry We're all a little mad! EC Moderator Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Some people Location: Las Vegas Age: 24 Posts: 5,542 Join Date: Jan 2008	Re: Sad news: Del Martin has passed away That's really too bad to hear. But at least she got to experience marriage, if only for a short while. __________________ "Everybody's journey is individual. If you fall in love with a boy, you fall in love with a boy. The fact that many Americans consider it a disease says more about them than it does about homosexuality".-James Baldwin

27th Aug 2008, 02:11 PM	#4
excuseyou77 EC Addict Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: my mom, few friends Location: Duluth, GA Age: 26 Posts: 834 Join Date: Oct 2007	Re: Sad news: Del Martin has passed away RIP, that's heartbreaking __________________ "I am human and I need to be loved, just like everybody else does."

27th Aug 2008, 02:45 PM	#5
Psychedelic Bookmarks Helena Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Bisexual Out Status: Close family and quite a few friends Location: UK Age: 18 Posts: 2,195 Join Date: Oct 2007	Re: Sad news: Del Martin has passed away Oh, that's so sad. When I saw their marriage, I remember thinking "Thank goodness - they can't have much more in them!". She lived a wonderful life, one her wife can be proud of. __________________ "I refuse to recognize the terms hetero-, bi-, and homo-sexual. Everybody has exactly the same sexual needs. People are just sexual, the prefix is immaterial." (Morissey)

27th Aug 2008, 08:18 PM	#6
Wander Banned Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Parents, aunts, grandma, counselor, online friends Location: Central Alabama Age: 18 Posts: 2,360 Join Date: Jan 2008	Re: Sad news: Del Martin has passed away I never knew her very well, but it makes me sad to think that she just barely caught the marriage train. Two months is better than no months, I guess, but a year and two months, or ten years and two months...more encouragement to keep pressing on for equal rights across the country.

28th Aug 2008, 05:56 AM	#7
beckyg PFLAG Mom Community Liaison Gender: Female Orientation: Straight Out Status: Out to everyone/Yes, parents come out too! Location: Middle of Oregon Age: 50 Posts: 7,572 Join Date: Mar 2007	Re: Sad news: Del Martin has passed away Del's New York Times tribute: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/us...in&oref=slogin __________________ "When we're free to love anyone we choose, When this worlds big enough for all different views, When we're all free to worship from our own kind of pew, Then we shall be free" ~ Garth Brooks

28th Aug 2008, 06:30 AM	#8
Tim Psycho Glitter Btch Full Member Gender:* Guy, Unless Life Was a Horrible April Fools Joke. Orientation: Gay/Asexual/Confusing to Explain Out Status: Armed and Fabulous! XD Location: California Age: 23 Posts: 7,380 Join Date: Mar 2008	Re: Sad news: Del Martin has passed away I saw it on Yahoo's homepage, don't know who she was, but after reading everything, it's quite sad __________________ Rawr! :3 ~The Stalker User Known As Tim~ Rawr! :3 EC's Sailor Star Healer, Oxymoron and All. Star Sensitive Inferno! Sailor Starlight, Stage On! [Vic] 7:49 pm: I keep my pants off in public.

28th Aug 2008, 06:44 AM	#9
beckyg PFLAG Mom Community Liaison Gender: Female Orientation: Straight Out Status: Out to everyone/Yes, parents come out too! Location: Middle of Oregon Age: 50 Posts: 7,572 Join Date: Mar 2007	Re: Sad news: Del Martin has passed away She and Phyllis are one of the main reasons you have marriage equality in California. They were not afraid to live their lives openly. I have the San Francisco newspaper on the day that marriage was legal in California with their front page love story. A friend picked it up for me as she travelled through San Francisco. __________________ "When we're free to love anyone we choose, When this worlds big enough for all different views, When we're all free to worship from our own kind of pew, Then we shall be free" ~ Garth Brooks

28th Aug 2008, 10:08 AM	#10
lodiug EC Addict Full Member Posts: 500 Join Date: Oct 2007	Lesbian activist and same-sex marriage pioneer Del Martin passed away. http://www.nbc11.com/news/17314013/d...01470208272008 Rest in Peace....At least she still got married legally..

28th Aug 2008, 11:10 AM	#11
Ben Was Invisible. EC Moderator Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Age: 20 Posts: 3,702 Join Date: Jul 2008	Re: Sad news: Del Martin has passed away I'm glad she got to get married to Phyllis before she passed. But this is very sad news. I remember reading of her marriage.

28th Aug 2008, 02:32 PM	#13
beckyg PFLAG Mom Community Liaison Gender: Female Orientation: Straight Out Status: Out to everyone/Yes, parents come out too! Location: Middle of Oregon Age: 50 Posts: 7,572 Join Date: Mar 2007	Re: Sad news: Del Martin has passed away I've merged the threads....no problem. __________________ "When we're free to love anyone we choose, When this worlds big enough for all different views, When we're all free to worship from our own kind of pew, Then we shall be free" ~ Garth Brooks

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