I am going to miss Del. What an inspiration.

in an email sent out today:




Remembers Pioneer Del Martin


Dear Viewers,

It’s with sadness that I write to you with news that longtime LGBT civil rights activist and pioneer Del Martin died this morning. Our hearts go out to Phyllis Lyon, to whom, in life and love, Del was inextricably linked.

As a teenager, reading “Lesbian/Woman” between the stacks in the local library, to one of millions touched by their journey to marriage, I have long admired these formidable champions in the fight for equality. It is a profound honor for In The Life Media to conclude our October season premiere episode with their recent wedding. That episode now becomes a joyous tribute to her life, her relationship with Phyllis, her witness, and struggle for LGBT equality. We are braver and stronger for having had her in our midst.

The 17th Season Premiere episode of IN THE LIFE, "Civil Rites & Civil Rights", takes an in-depth look at the battle for marriage equality in America's most populous state, California. As part of it, we’re privileged to be airing never-before-seen footage of Del and her partner of 55 years, Phyllis, becoming the first same-sex couple to wed in California after the state Supreme Court mandated equal marriage rights for gay men and lesbians.

We hope you will join us in remembering these vanguards of the movement.

Warmest wishes,

Michelle Kristel
Executive Director

In The Life is an American public television series in a news magazine format
that reports on gay and lesbian issues and culture
LINK: http://www.inthelifetv.org/


Del Martin, (in chair), and Phyllis Lyon
got married at San Francisco City Hall
in a ceremony performed by Mayor Gavin Newsom on June 16, 2008.
(Josie Lepe/Mercury News archives)