Del Martin Has Passed Away

Lesbian activist, Del Martin (right), passed on to the big Home Depot in the sky this morning in San Francisco. She was 87.

Del captured a little piece of my coal heart when she married her partner of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, on June 17th. They were the first gay couple married in San Francisco.

Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, told SFGate that Del checked into a San Francisco hospital two weeks after a broken arm messed with her existing health problems. Kate also said that Phyllis was by her side during her last moments.

Del and Phyllis were a major part of the early movement for gay and lesbian rights. They founded the first lesbian organization, Daughters of Bilitis, in 1955. Del was also the founded member of several other organizations.

Rest in peace, Del Martin. Thank you for your courage and all the work you've done. Sorry. I hate getting sappy. I'll go eat a Twinkie now.

Thanks Momus

Posted by: Michael K

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Gayelles • Sadness

Submitted by joanne on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 5:02pm.

The world's oldest known dildo is a siltstone 20-centimeter phallus from the Upper Palaeolithic period 30,000 years ago that was found in Hohle Fels Cave near Ulm Germany (wikipedia)....sounds like these babies where around awhile.

Submitted by watch me boogie on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 5:01pm.

I'm so happy they were able to be married officially. 55 fucking years, are you kidding me? Anyone who makes it that long, straight or gay, deserves not only a marriage certificate, but a medal and a month in Maui. I honestly teared up when I saw them get married. My heart really goes out to Phyllis, who has got to be absolutely devastated.
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We Care A Lot

Submitted by VaNcItY on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 5:00pm.

Everything happens for a reason. Its no coincidence that the rights they fought so long and hard for were given to them right before Del passed. Now Phyllis will be protected. RIP Del

Submitted by Possum on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:58pm.

Aww. :( How sad. I'm glad they were able to marry beforehand.

I can't imagine not being able to marry my soulmate, and we've only been hitched 5 1/2 months.

Submitted by Momus the Sarcastic on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:51pm.

Submitted by LOVE CARROTTOP on August 27, 2008 - 1:30pm.

I wonder if they used dildos, or if that was too forward a concept? They were older ladies, and with that generation comes what's appropriate and what isn't. I can't believe I'm talking about geriatric lesbians (one of whom is now deceased) and dildos. I've crossed a line. Ignore.

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"Ignore." Not a chance. These two memaws are from San Francisco. Anything's possible.

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I didn’t say that it was your fault – I said that I was going to blame you.
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Submitted by Aunt Bea on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:47pm.

passed on to the big Home Depot in the sky

I know it's mean but I couldn't stop laughing at that

Submitted by joanne on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:39pm.

RIP, I'm glad she got to get married before moving on.

Submitted by Jinxy McDeath on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:34pm.

I'm actually crying over this and I'm not sure why - is it that she JUST finally got married to the love of her life for so many decades? Or is it because I'm so proud of her and what she's done for Americans - gay or straight - she's showed that we're all the same.

Submitted by Umbertoooo on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:32pm.

In their case the "L-word" meant the roman numeral for 50. 50 years of scissoring deserts. God bless and good night.

Submitted by t-bird on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:31pm.

You said it, Speakit!

Bless your soul, Del. You made life so much better for all of us.

Submitted by speakit on August 27, 2008 - 4:09pm.

One person can make a difference.

Condolences to her partner.

Submitted by Albatross on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:30pm.

Oh, how sad. God bless you, Del. I'm glad you were finally able to marry Phyllis. Rest in peace.

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"How much is that doggie in the window?"

Submitted by LOVE CARROTTOP on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:30pm.

Submitted by Momus the Sarcastic on August 27, 2008 - 4:27pm.

You're not speaking ill of the dead. I would like to think that they still wanted to have sex even at their age because they love each other.
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YOUR JUST JEALUS OKAY YOU CAN'T MAKE THE SKIDMARK WITH BLOW TOOT TIMES SHE HAS THE BUTT BURN CHOCOLATE TACO OKAY WOW!

Submitted by Leatherette on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:28pm.

aw, Ms. Del, fare thee well.

Submitted by Momus the Sarcastic on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:27pm.

Submitted by LOVE CARROTTOP on August 27, 2008 - 1:26pm.
I know it's not nice to speak ill of the dead, but every time I see these two little cuties I just imagine them trying to muff dive but needing breaks to suck on the ventilator.

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You're not speaking ill of the dead. I would like to think that they still wanted to have sex even at their age because they love each other.

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I didn’t say that it was your fault – I said that I was going to blame you.
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Submitted by LOVE CARROTTOP on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:27pm.

I am feeling sad times over this. Let's all share one big tongue kiss in honour of the poor old gayelle.

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YOUR JUST JEALUS OKAY YOU CAN'T MAKE THE SKIDMARK WITH BLOW TOOT TIMES SHE HAS THE BUTT BURN CHOCOLATE TACO OKAY WOW!

Submitted by LOVE CARROTTOP on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:26pm.

I know it's not nice to speak ill of the dead, but every time I see these two little cuties I just imagine them trying to muff dive but needing breaks to suck on the ventilator.

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YOUR JUST JEALUS OKAY YOU CAN'T MAKE THE SKIDMARK WITH BLOW TOOT TIMES SHE HAS THE BUTT BURN CHOCOLATE TACO OKAY WOW!

Submitted by islandgirl on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:24pm.

Del was one funky homosapien. ♥

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"You're a tool. And do you know why? It's because you're a ginge, Fintan. A dirty, freckly ginge."

Submitted by Newportjoey on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:24pm.

Never Mind The Catholic Gay did it.

Yit'gadal v'yit'kadash sh'mei raba (Cong: Amein).
May His great Name grow exalted and sanctified (`Cong: Amen.)

b'al'ma di v'ra khir'utei
in the world that He created as He willed.

v'yam'likh mal'khutei b'chayeikhon uv'yomeikhon
May He give reign to His kingship in your lifetimes and in your days,

uv'chayei d'khol beit yis'ra'eil
and in the lifetimes of the entire Family of Israel,

ba'agala uviz'man kariv v'im'ru:
swiftly and soon. Now say:
(Mourners and Congregation:)

Amein. Y'hei sh'mei raba m'varakh l'alam ul'al'mei al'maya
(Amen. May His great Name be blessed forever and ever.)

Yit'barakh v'yish'tabach v'yit'pa'ar v'yit'romam v'yit'nasei
Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, extolled,

v'yit'hadar v'yit'aleh v'yit'halal sh'mei d'kud'sha
mighty, upraised, and lauded be the Name of the Holy One
(Mourners and Congregation:)

B'rikh hu.
Blessed is He.

l'eila min kol bir'khata v'shirara
beyond any blessing and song,

toosh'b'chatah v'nechematah, da'ameeran b'al'mah, v'eemru:
praise and consolation that are uttered in the world. Now say:
(Mourners and Congregation:)

Amein
Amen

Y'hei sh'lama raba min sh'maya
May there be abundant peace from Heaven

v'chayim aleinu v'al kol yis'ra'eil v'im'ru
and life upon us and upon all Israel. Now say:
(Mourners and Congregation:)

Amein
Amen

Oseh shalom bim'romav hu ya'aseh shalom
He Who makes peace in His heights, may He make peace,

aleinu v'al kol Yis'ra'eil v'im'ru
upon us and upon all Israel. Now say:
(Mourners and Congregation:)

Amein
Amen

"If Drinks Aren't Involved, Then Neither Am I."

Submitted by Otter Pop on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:23pm.

I'm glad she lived long enough to marry her long time love and partner. I really hope the crazy religious fanatics aren't able to overturn the legalization of gay marriage.

Submitted by platypus on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:23pm.

Sad as fuck

rip
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Brand, Jen, and Angelina sing about love

http://youtube.com/watch?v=baSNJpfpjbE

Submitted by sinnie on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:21pm.

RIP, Del. Thanks for everything.

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I'm covered in BEEEEES!

Submitted by Newportjoey on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:20pm.

Hey! Any of you Jew out there?? Say the Kaddish for her.....Happy they finally got married.....Sad we fall apart when we get old.

"If Drinks Aren't Involved, Then Neither Am I."

Submitted by soul on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:18pm.

55 years???awesome.
RIP Del Martin.
;) :) :O =) :p :( :\ :D

Submitted by DeeDee on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:18pm.

RIP Del ♥

☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺
Cada dia se aprende algo nuevo.

Submitted by Anonymous101 on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:14pm.

Sad - condolences to her wife (partner) :(

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Gary Busey is a poet too?? Now, that's a real man!!

Submitted by Fucking_Classy on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:13pm.

RIP, Del!
You will be missed.

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" That which does not kill me only postpones the inevitable."

Submitted by Momus the Sarcastic on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:13pm.

Submitted by minnow on August 27, 2008 - 1:05pm.
Sadness... I need a tastefully made mini-series or movie about them.

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I hope that the movie will also show the torment these two lovely memaws went through: electric shock therapy, attempted lobotomies, rape. All to make them give up being lesbians.
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I didn’t say that it was your fault – I said that I was going to blame you.
************************************************

Submitted by Tyroan on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:12pm.

RIP and thanks for being such a great role model for all of us.

Submitted by letinstar on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:12pm.

sad to hear del has gone on to the great beyond, but i know wherever she is, she is happy in being able to officially marry her partner of 55 years...rip...
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the world is great big old place for all of us to fuck up in it...

Submitted by niki on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:10pm.

I hope she's prancing around heaven in a fly ass pantsuit. A true pioneer and trailblazer is lost to the world but she kicked major assholishness while she was alive. RIP Ms. Del

Submitted by NovaNightly on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:10pm.

RIP...little gayelle.

Her poor partner....how sad!

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I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries. Now, go away or I shall taunt you a second time!!

Submitted by UKer on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:09pm.

55 years with the same partner, damn! that's commitment!
how would you even envisage life without one another? too sad....
i've said it before and i'll say it again, dykes rule.

Submitted by islandgirl on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:09pm.

That picture speaks a thousand words.

RIP

**************************************
"You're a tool. And do you know why? It's because you're a ginge, Fintan. A dirty, freckly ginge."

Submitted by speakit on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:09pm.

One person can make a difference.

Condolences to her partner.

Submitted by irreverence on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:09pm.

She lived a LONG life and I hope it was a good one. I'm glad that she lived long enough to get married to her partner.

She accomplished a lot of awesome things in her life. I hope she was proud. I also hope that Phyllis is able to find some peace.

Good journey, Del. Thank you for everything you did.

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Too weird to live; too rare to die.

Submitted by JenJen on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:08pm.

Glad she lived long enough to walk down the aisle with her partner. RIP

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Dlisted - Unfair and Imbalanced

Submitted by The C word on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:08pm.

Awww, this makes my heart ache.

Glad she was able to have a wish fulfilled before she went.

RIP Del. Condolences to Phyllis.

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Screws fall out all the time, the world's an imperfect place.

Submitted by ☆ Shonathan Hilton ☆ on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:07pm.

O!
i dont know them both

www.MySpace.com/ItsJonaBitch

Submitted by tweedlebugb on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:07pm.

big home depot in the sky... LMAO

Submitted by Farrah on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:05pm.

indeed, a beautiful gayelle love story... anyone who endures a relationship for so long deserves my respect, anyways.

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I became insane with long intervals of terrible sanity...- Edgar Allan Poe.

Submitted by minnow on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:05pm.

Sadness... I need a tastefully made mini-series or movie about them.

Submitted by Salem13 on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:05pm.

I don't why but every time someone dies it makes me want to listen to this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ8miTErh-o
RIP Del Martin

Submitted by Miss Priss on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:05pm.

:0(

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El Dude/Walter'08

Submitted by Clarisse on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:04pm.

(<_>)

Blessings.

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Blah...blah...blah...jack me off and pour me some lemonade. -Michael K

Submitted by Helena on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:03pm.

Oh, no!

Such an epic gayelle love story! Makes me very proud.

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I am a DJ and I've got believers.

Submitted by Callan on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:03pm.

I'm sad that she has passed on, but happy she was able to marry her partner and have access to all the rights and privileges of a straight couple before she died.

Submitted by BobsBB on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 4:03pm.

You know, as sad as it is to see someone that fucking cool no live forever, it's also pretty awesome that she got to be a fighter and trailblazer right up until the end. We should all aspire to have balls that big and brassy.