Phyllis Ann Lyon
Country
United States
Birth - Death
1924 - 2020
Occupation
Activist
Description
Founded 'Daughters of Bilitis', the first lesbian organization in the United States, in 1955. The organization went on to publish The Ladder, the first monthly lesbian newsletter focused on politics, fiction, poetry and connecting lesbians across the country. Partner of Dorothy Del Martin, who co-authored the book 'Lesbian/Woman' (1972). The couple were the first open lesbians to join the National Organization for Women. Helped form the Council on Religion and the Homosexual in Northern California to persuade ministers to accept lesbians and gay men into churches. The two had the first same sex wedding in California in 2008 after their first attempt in 2004 was ruled invalid by the California Supreme Court. Co-founder of the National Sex Forum, where she served as a director for 19 years. She was a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. Subject of several documentaries, including 'No Secret Anymore: The Times of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon' and 'One Wedding and a Revolution'. Also known as Phyllis Lyon.
