FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2008

Media Contact:
Seth Kilbourn, Executive Director
415-296-8995

openhouse Mourns the Loss of LGBT Pioneer Del Martin

San Francisco – San Francisco and the world’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community lost a visionary and inspirational leader today with the passing today of Del Martin, 87. In 1955 Martin and her life partner Phyllis Lyon were two of the founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian rights organization that helped lay the foundation for the modern gay civil rights movement.

“Del dedicated her life to activism so that LGBT people of all ages could live their lives with freedom and dignity,” said openhouse Executive Director Seth Kilbourn. “Del’s contributions to ending the isolation and silence of so many in our community were immeasurable. Her dedication to equality, access to healthcare, ending domestic violence and helping all people age with dignity and grace will be sorely missed.”

In 2004, Martin and Lyon were the first same-sex couple to marry in California when the City of San Francisco began issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. In June, after 55 years together, they were again the first to marry following the state Supreme Court’s historic ruling overturning the state’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples.

“The marriage of Del and Phyllis was a moving and fitting tribute to their decades of advocacy to end the injustices they saw and endured throughout their lives,” said openhouse founder Marcy Adelman. “I am forever grateful for Del’s friendship, inspiration and support of openhouse. Her legacy will live on for generations to come.”

A nonprofit organization based in San Francisco celebrating 10 years of ground-breaking service to its community, openhouse was established in 1998 to create and sustain a senior residential community and related services that honors lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) seniors. It is committed to providing mixed income, LGBT-friendly senior housing with comprehensive social and health services, referrals for LGBT aging-support services, and opportunities for social engagement for those LGBT seniors who wish to remain and age in their homes for as long as they’re able.