Lesbians in Americn History

AUDRE LORDE (1934-1992). “BLACK LESBIAN, MOTHER, WARRIOR, POET" (SELF DESCRIPTION).

Accomplishments: Wrote close to twenty books of poetry and prose. Founded Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press. Was a featured speaker at the first lesbian and gay pride march on Washington in 1979. Spoke for preserving African-American culture during the days when many championed assimilation.

Identified as lesbian because: She said so.

For more information: http://www.lambda.net/~maximum/lorde

DEL MARTIN (b. 1921) AND PHYLLIS LYON (b. 1924). ACTIVISTS.

Accomplishments: Founded Daughters of Bilitis, the nation’s first lesbian organization, in 1955. Became the first openly lesbian couple to join the National Organization for Women in the 1960s. Wrote and co-wrote numerous books and articles about lesbians’ and women’s issues. Co-Recipients of NOW’s Women of Courage Award in 1999.

Identified as lesbian because: They say so.

For more information: Sadly, I was unable to find a website dedicated to these courageous women.

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT (1884-1962). HUMANITARIAN, POLITICIAN.

Accomplishments: Stood in politically for her husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt while he was recovering from polio, addressing issues, such as civil rights for blacks and women, that he considered too hot to touch. First Lady between 1933 and 1945. During this time, she wrote a syndicated column and had her own radio program. Served as U.S. Delegate to the United Nations from 1945-1952 and 1961-1962. Helped draft the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

Identified as bisexual because: Wrote impassioned letters to lesbian journalist Lorena Hickock.

For more information: http://personalweb.smcvt.edu/smahady/erb...

These are just a few of the lesbians and bisexual women who helped shape our history. Because of space considerations, I couldn’t possibly list them all. So I cheated and picked my favorites. Now, I’d like to hear about yours. So join the “Lesbians in History” discussion and tell me what women-loving-women you admire most.

For a comprehensive list of famous lesbians and bisexual women, go to

http://www-lib.usc.edu/~retter/database....

If you want to read more about this topic, try “Out of the Past: Gay and Lesbian History from 1869 to the Present” by Neil Miller; or “The Gay 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Gay Men and Lesbians, Past and Present” by Paul Russell.

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