Notable Lesbians
This week’s Notable Lesbian is:
Barbara Gittings
July 31, 1932 – February 18, 2007
Barbara Gittings was a gay activist who established the first east coast chapter of the first
lesbian organization in the United States, the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB), founded in 1955 in San Francisco. She was also instrumental in challenging the American Psychiatric Association’s anti-gay views. Her campaign to promote gay materials and eliminate discrimination in libraries has been recognized by an honorary lifetime membership conferred by the American Library Association in 2003.
Interesting tid bit: Barbara marched in the first gay rights picket lines in the mid-60s at the White House and the Pentagon and at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The Barbara Gittings Award, given by GLAAD since 2001, is named in her honor.
Read an interview with Barbara.
Today’s Notable Lesbian was suggested by Amy.
If you have a suggestion for a Notable Lesbian, contact me and I’ll highlight her in an upcoming post.
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May 10th, 2007 at 7:31 am
Barbara Gittings was truly a hero.
February 21st, 2008 at 10:26 am
[...] tid bit: Lahusen was the longtime partner of Barbara Gittings. She photographed Gittings and other people who picketed federal buildings and Independence Hall in [...]