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Phyllis Lyon, whose principled and historic lesbian advocacy blazed trails for LGBTQ community activism, died Thursday. She was 95 years old.
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1924, Lyon and Del Martin were among the first same-sex couples to exchange marriage vows on June 16, 2008, more than five decades after meeting and falling in love in Seattle and later moving to San Francisco.
In February 2004, during Gov. Gavin Newsom’s term as San Francisco mayor, he issued a marriage license to Lyon and Martin. That led to their role as plaintiffs in the state’s marriage equality case, where they were represented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
Although the state Supreme Court voided 4,000 same-sex marriages issued by the city later that year, the two married again one month after the court ruled in May 2008 that banning such marriages was unconstitutional.
In statements Thursday, officials paid heartfelt tribute to Lyon’s life and impact.
“Phyllis and Del were the manifestation of love and devotion. Yet for over 50 years they were denied the right to say 2 extraordinary words: I do,” Gov. Newsom tweeted Thursday. “Phyllis—it was the honor of a lifetime to marry you & Del. Your courage changed the course of history. Rest in Peace my dear friend.”
“Phyllis Lyon was a giant. She was an icon, a trailblazer, a pioneer, a role model, and a friend to the many of us who looked up to her,” National Center for Lesbian Rights executive director Imani Rupert-Gordon said.
“Her activism changed what we thought was possible, and her strength inspired us. Her vision helped forge our path and made organizations like NCLR possible. And although the path is lonelier without her, we know the way because of her.”
Lyon and Martin were among the co-founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, one of the first lesbian political and social organizations, and launched “The Ladder,” a mimeographed newsletter with advice and event listings that served to lift spirits and foster a sense of community and connection among women.
In the late 1970s, medical staff, volunteers and activists worked to establish a center that provided health care and education for lesbians and named a center that opened its doors in February 1980 in the pair’s name.
Their quiet and persistent lobbying of lawmakers later led to a September 1992 state law outlawing employment and housing discrimination against gay men and lesbians.
Martin died at the age of 87, several months after their 2008 marriage.
“Phyllis Lyon is truly an iconic figure in the history of LGBTQ and women’s rights. Her life was marked by courage and the tenacious belief that the world must and could change,” former NCLR executive director Kate Kendell said in part Thursday.
“From the moment I started as Legal Director at NCLR, Phyllis and Del were fixtures in my life. Our monthly lunches gave me the chance to learn at their feet about my own history and the story of much of our movement. I got to be a part of not one but two weddings with them! First in 2004 and then in 2008. After Del’s death in August of 2008, I still had Phyllis in my life, even as dementia took a lot of her memory, she never lost her spirit, joy or sense of humor. I will miss her every day, but am comforted knowing she and Del are finally together again.”
Family members are planning a celebration of Lyon’s life, and have asked for gifts in her honor to go to the Lyon-Martin health clinic.
As of Thursday afternoon, a GoFundMe online-fundraising campaign has raised just over $17,000 toward a $500,000 goal.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.