a comic drawn by leslie ewing published in the program guide for the march on washington for lesbian gay and bi equal rights and liberation, april 1993
[ID: a comic with two lesbians. one, in a shirt that says “deaf ‘n’ dykey,” does an old sign for “lesbian.” the other, in a wheelchair, thinks “yess!!” end ID.]
additional context for the sign: this sign for “lesbian” is in the same place as “bad” or “wrong,” so it’s less politically correct today, and often reclaimed. think “lesbo” or “dyke”
i was fortunate enough to experience the absolute joy that is french pride yesterday. my heart is so full. here are some of my favorite signs: “pass through here, become a lesbian” and “god save the dykes”
here’s just a handful of FBI files from the ’50s through the ’70s released through FOIA wherein the FBI obsessively documented and surveilled lesbian bars and the Daughters of Bilitis
if you’d like to explore and learn more about how the U.S. government stalked us for merely existing, click here
i’m currently researching butch identity in mid-century america! here’s a fact about post-WWII LGBT communities in port cities that blew my mind today. from lillian faderman’s odd girls and twilight lovers: a history of lesbian life in 20th century america
alright so after finishing this reread of odd girls i am struck by what feels like the total lack of sympathy for working-class lesbians and butch/femme identity. painful ! please go read boots of leather, slippers of gold rn
i’m currently researching butch identity in mid-century america! here’s a fact about post-WWII LGBT communities in port cities that blew my mind today. from lillian faderman’s odd girls and twilight lovers: a history of lesbian life in 20th century america
i just watched an amazing documentary on the iconic ruth c. ellis, a black lesbian activist, who was the oldest surviving open lesbian living to the incredible age of 101. watch her story, directed by yvonne welbon, here !
from an article about lesbian comic robin tyler performing at the san francisco international women’s day celebration, published in the berkeley barb vol. 30 no. 14, march 1980
“‘a hymn to the love that dares not speak its name.’ not for all eyes but just for those women who have walked soft in the dark dark light. i give you my praise - a song of many textures and moods.”
from the cover of pointblank times: a lesbian/feminist publication, vol. 2 no. 5, june 1976
madeline davis is the author of boots of leather, slippers of gold, teacher of the first ever college course on lesbianism, organizer of the first all-lesbian theatre company, founding member of the mattachine society of the niagara frontier, and so much more. she is a legend who has given her all to creating lesbian community, enriching our culture, and impacting countless lives in innumerable ways.
she recently suffered a stroke, and insurance will not pay for her healthcare. please help her fund her medical bills here.
excerpt from who cares if it’s a choice? snappy answers to 101 nosy, intrusive, and highly personal questions about lesbians and gays by ellen orleans, june 1994
