08.28.08
Gay Rights Pioneer Del Martin Dead at 87
Del Martin, who just this past June wed her partner of nearly 55 years when gay marriage was legalized in California, died Wednesday morning with her wife, Phyllis Lyon, by her side, according to the National Center for Lesbian Rights. She was 87.
In 1995, Martin and Lyon were named delegates to the White House Conference on Aging: Martin by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and Lyon by Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
“We are greatly saddened by the passing of such an extraordinary and courageous woman,” Kathryn Kolbert, president of People for the American Way, said in a statement. ”Del Martin and her partner of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, fought for decades to secure equal rights for all Americans regardless of sex or sexual orientation. In recognition of their legendary struggle, Del and Phyllis became the first same-sex couple to wed in California after the state supreme court mandated equal marriage rights for gay men and lesbians.
“We can see in retrospect that the ruling came just in time for Del and Phyllis to gain what they so dearly deserved — equal state legal recognition and rights for their 55 years together. It’s wonderful that the recent legal advances in California enabled such a fitting tribute.”