Lesbian activist, publisher, archivist, and known by many as "the lesbian-feminist hellraiser." By the age of 12, she knew she was a lesbian and was requesting "books about homosexuals" at the library. As a librarian, she spent a great deal of time exploring literature with lesbian characters and soon found "The Ladder," a publication of the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) which was a social organization founded in 1955. She began writing book notes, articles and short stories under the name Gene Damon. She always had a point of view, always believed she was right, and was always passionate. She felt strongly about educating both lesbians and the public and became general editor of the DOB. When it dissolved, she took over The Ladder and moved it into a more activist direction. In 1973, she and her partner Donna McBride formed Naiad Press, a lesbian-oriented publishing house. It was said to be the most successful publishing company in the world. They published novels, mysteries, nonfiction (the most famous being a nonfiction work about Roman Catholic nuns who were lesbians, "Lesbian Nuns; Breaking Silence") and several volumes of her book reviews from The Ladder. She was awarded the Gay Academic Union's President's Award for Lifetime Service in 1985. She and McBride won several other literary pioneering awards as well. When they retired and closed Naiad Press, they transferred their publishing rights to Bella Press. They donated their books, monographs, manuscripts, photos and memorabilia to the James Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center at the San Francisco Public Library. Her work has made it possible for young lesbians and gay boys to find a wealth of information in libraries now. According to writer Victoria Brownworth, "There is simply no more important figure in lesbian letters in the 20th century." Barbara Grier believed "lesbians will inherit the earth." At her death, author Katherine Forrest stated, "It would be hard to imagine a more towering and central figure in lesbian culture. With her forceful personality she was a mover and shaker whose impact on our world of books and lesbian literature can scarcely be overstated. We have lost a giant."
Cause of death: Lung Cancer
Cause of death: Lung Cancer
Lesbian activist, publisher, archivist, and known by many as "the lesbian-feminist hellraiser." By the age of 12, she knew she was a lesbian and was requesting "books about homosexuals" at the library. As a librarian, she spent a great deal of time exploring literature with lesbian characters and soon found "The Ladder," a publication of the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) which was a social organization founded in 1955. She began writing book notes, articles and short stories under the name Gene Damon. She always had a point of view, always believed she was right, and was always passionate. She felt strongly about educating both lesbians and the public and became general editor of the DOB. When it dissolved, she took over The Ladder and moved it into a more activist direction. In 1973, she and her partner Donna McBride formed Naiad Press, a lesbian-oriented publishing house. It was said to be the most successful publishing company in the world. They published novels, mysteries, nonfiction (the most famous being a nonfiction work about Roman Catholic nuns who were lesbians, "Lesbian Nuns; Breaking Silence") and several volumes of her book reviews from The Ladder. She was awarded the Gay Academic Union's President's Award for Lifetime Service in 1985. She and McBride won several other literary pioneering awards as well. When they retired and closed Naiad Press, they transferred their publishing rights to Bella Press. They donated their books, monographs, manuscripts, photos and memorabilia to the James Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center at the San Francisco Public Library. Her work has made it possible for young lesbians and gay boys to find a wealth of information in libraries now. According to writer Victoria Brownworth, "There is simply no more important figure in lesbian letters in the 20th century." Barbara Grier believed "lesbians will inherit the earth." At her death, author Katherine Forrest stated, "It would be hard to imagine a more towering and central figure in lesbian culture. With her forceful personality she was a mover and shaker whose impact on our world of books and lesbian literature can scarcely be overstated. We have lost a giant."
Cause of death: Lung Cancer
Cause of death: Lung Cancer
