He was speaking within the fold to the flock, talking with members of the GLBT caucus at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

That day, Aug. 27, we learned of the death of Del Martin, a pioneer in the GLBT civil rights movement who did so much to free so many Americans “from the misperception that they were supposed to be homophobic.”

Martin, 87, was an activist, one of the earliest in the modern GLBT movement, and as such she did much to show people the truth, the way, the right from wrong on gay and lesbian issues.

She also did much to show people the truth, the way, the right from wrong on gay and lesbian issues by being a committed, loving, devoted partner and eventually, after way too many years of struggle, as a bride.

Martin and Phyllis Lyon, partners of more than five decades, married on June 16, after the California Supreme Court ruled that marriage is a fundamental right that cannot be denied same-sex couples. They had met in 1950, became committed partners in 1953, and together, in 1955, purchased the San Francisco home they would share for the next 53 years.

The couple “defined, from my perspective, what marriage was supposed to be about,” San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said the day Martin died.

From my perspective, too.

I remember early in my own romance — now approaching a 16th anniversary — writing about my partner and I following in the tradition of Martin and Lyon, our names forever linked, not two but one.

Martin’s death brought condolences from Barack and Michelle Obama to “her spouse Phyllis Lyon, and all those who were touched by her life.”

Her passing also brought calls to action from activists facing another round of ballot initiatives intended to corrupt state constitutions with prohibitions against our marrying and the recognition of our unions.

The right for which Martin, alongside Lyon, fought for so long faces a threat in California Proposition 8, a Nov. 4 ballot initiative that would amend the state constitution to read, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

Floridians also will vote in November on a proposed constitutional amendment — the Florida Marriage Amendment — that would ban recognition of unions outside the marriage of a man and a woman. The amendment would read, “Inasmuch as a marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.”

In Arizona, where voters defeated an anti-gay marriage measure in 2006, Proposition 102 would amend the constitution to state, “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.”

GLBT activists have long looked to Martin and Lyon as leaders and examples, asking what would Del and Phyllis do?

Now, inheritors of Martin’s legacy, beneficiaries of Martin’s fight, say, Do it for Del.

Don’t get so wrapped up in this year’s partisan campaign for the White House that you neglect the peoples’ battles in the states.

Do, for Del, engage in the campaign for “no” votes if you live in one of the states facing an anti-gay initiative.

And do, for Del, support those vote “no” campaigns financially if you live in a state safe from an initiative this election season.

Do listen to Barney Frank and be honest, inform the American electorate that they are not supposed to be homophobic.

And do heed Del Martin’s own call to action, written so many years ago: “Nothing was ever accomplished by hiding in a dark corner. Why not discard the hermitage for the heritage that awaits…”

***

Last week, the National Center for Lesbian Rights announced that gifts in lieu of flowers can be made to honor Martin’s life and commitment to the No on 8 PAC at www.nclrights.org/noon8.

Del Martin (left) and her partner Phyllis Lyon, being married by Gavin Newsom.

(San Francisco, California) Lesbian rights pioneer Del Martin died Wednesday. She was 87. She and her partner Phyllis Lyon were the first to be legally married in the state of California.

Her wife, Phyllis Lyon was at her side when she passed away.

At a meeting of the LGBT caucus at the Democratic National Convention, Gavin Newsom, his voice breaking, said he had just heard of her death. “Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon defined love, devotion and constancy,” he said.

A statement released later from Barack Obama said:  “Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear that Del Martin had passed.  Del committed her life to fighting discrimination and promoting equality.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to her spouse Phyllis Lyon, and all those who were touched by her life.”

Martin began working as an activist after receiving her degree in journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. While working on a newspaper in Seattle, Martin met her partner Phyllis Lyon and the two began working on behalf of lesbians in their community.

Martin and Lyon devoted their lives to working towards LGBT equality, healthcare access, advocacy on behalf of battered women, and issues facing elderly Americans. Their many contributions over the past five decades helped shape the modern LGBT movement.

Her last public political act, on June 16, 2008, was to marry Phyllis Lyon, her partner of 55 years. They were the first couple to wed in San Francisco after the California Supreme Court recognized that marriage for same-sex couples is a fundamental right in a case brought by plaintiffs including Martin and Lyon.

“Today the LGBT movement lost a real hero,” Kate Kendell, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights said in a statement.

“For all of Del’s life, she was an activist and organizer even before we knew what those terms meant. Her last act of public activism was her most personal—marrying the love of her life after 55 years. In the wake of losing her, we recognize with heightened clarity the most poignant and responsible way to honor her legacy is to preserve the right of marriage for same-sex couples, thereby providing the dignity and respect that Del and Phyllis’ love deserved.”

“The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has lost one of its bravest and most admired activists,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese.

“Del Martin dared for decades to fight to marry her beloved Phyllis, and by doing so became an iconic hero the LGBT community. Her death is a great loss to all of us, but her life is an inspiration,” Solmonese said.

In 1955, Lyon and Martin were among the founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian rights organization.

In 1956, they launched “The Ladder,” the first lesbian newsletter, which became a lifeline for hundreds of women isolated and silenced by the restrictions of the era. Del Martin was the first openly lesbian woman elected to the board of the National Organization of Women (NOW), and in 1971, encouraged the board to pass a resolution stating that lesbian issues were feminist issues.

Del Martin’s publication of Battered Wives in 1976 was a major catalyst for the movement against domestic violence. Martin became a nationally known advocate for battered women, and was a co-founder of the Coalition for Justice for Battered Women in 1975.

Martin lectured at colleges and universities around the country. Martin received her doctorate from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in 1987.

In 1995, Martin and Lyon were named delegates to the White House Conference on Aging by Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. In 2004,

“Del lived her life with great compassion, wit, tenacity, generosity, and valor,” said The Honorable Donna Hitchens, Founder of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

“She inspired thousands of us to be more courageous and energetic than we thought possible. When faced with moments of fatigue, laziness or weakness, one had only to ask – ‘What would Del and Phyllis do?’ While she will be greatly missed, her legacy will be cherished forever.”

Martin is survived by her spouse Phyllis Lyon, daughter Kendra Mon, son-in-law Eugene Lane, granddaughter Lorraine Mon, grandson Kevin Mon, sister-in-law Patricia Lyon and a vast, loving and grateful lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender family.

A public memorial and tribute celebrating the life of Del Martin will be planned in the next few weeks.

Del Martin (left) and her partner Phyllis Lyon being married by SF Mayor Gavin Newsom

Del Martin, beloved figure of the gay and lesbian civil rights movement, died this morning. She and her partner Phyllis Lyon were the first to be legally married in the state of California.

Gavin Newsome is speaking in remembrance now – more soon.