02/19/2007
Barbara Gittings, a Force in Gay Rights, Dies at 75
The gay rights movement has lost one of its heroes. Pioneering activist Barbara Gittings died on Sunday after a battle with breast cancer. She was 75. Gittings fought tirelessly thoughout her life to advance the rights of gays and lesbians.
She was an early member of one of the earliest lesbian rights organizations, the Daughters of Bilitis (named for a French poet's fictional contemporary of Sappho), and helped organize, and picketed in the first gay rights demonstrations outside the White House and Philadelphia's Independence Hall in 1965.
The Daughters of Bilitis was formed in 1955 as a response to the raids on then-illegal lesbian bars, and it was in this group that Gittings met her partner Kay Lahausen (above right).
The group published a "lesbian review" called The Ladder.
The 1965 march (in which Gittings marches in the photo proudly holding a sign that reads "Homosexuals should be treated as individuals") is seen by many as the birth (pre-Stonewall, mind you) of the modern gay rights movement.
She was a leader for many years of the American Library Association Gay Task Force and pushed hard for the inclusion of gay content in libraries, and in 2003, the association recognized her with its highest honor.
Gittings was also a major force in the campaign to get the American Psychiatric Association to drop homosexuality from its list of mental disorders, which it did in 1973.
For those interested in learning more about Gittings (as well a four other important gay rights heroes), she's profiled in the excellent 1998 Jeff Dupre documentary Out of the Past: The Struggle for Gay and Lesbian Rights in America
She will be missed.
Out of the Past [pbs]
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 9:05 AM EST by Andy in Barbara Gittings, Film, Gay Rights, News | Permalink
Comments
Many years ago I met Barbara Gittings at a ALA
conference and began a short correspondence with her. She was a light for all of us. Thank you for you obit.
Posted by: Michael | Feb 19, 2007 10:17:51 AM
RIP Barbara.
You WILL be missed. You and your tireless work should never be forgotten.
Posted by: Zeke | Feb 19, 2007 10:46:02 AM
>>Gittings was also a major force in the campaign to get the American Psychiatric Association to drop homosexuality from its list of mental disorders, which it did in 1973.
Amazing, I would have never guessed that historic decision came from the work on an activist..goes to show how much any of us can really achieve towards improving gay and human rights if we have the belief we can do it.
RIP Barbara Gittings. You are an inspiration to me!
Posted by: Da | Feb 19, 2007 11:58:43 AM
Just one correction: Barbara was an early member of the Daughters of Bilitis, but it was founded by Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, who are still with us. That said, Barbara Gittings was a true hero; without pioneers like her, the attitudes of the Jerry Falwells and Tim Hardaways would still reign in America, and we would have nothing approaching the rights and freedoms we have today. When time comes that we get statues of OUR great Americans unveiled in public squares during LGBT History Month, a statue of Barbara should rightly be among them. Rest in peace, darling Barbara, after a life very well lived--and thank you so much!
Posted by: Mark in Carolina | Feb 19, 2007 11:59:32 AM
We've lost a GREAT human being who has done so much for our community, indeed she should be remembered in a memorial for a lifetimes work helping others. Thank you so much Barbara.
Posted by: Zo | Feb 19, 2007 12:09:38 PM
thanks for the correction Mark.
Posted by: andy | Feb 19, 2007 12:15:04 PM
Thank you Barbara.
Posted by: Jack! | Feb 19, 2007 12:45:27 PM
I can't imagine the courage it took to march in public, carrying a sign proclaiming yourself a homosexual, in 1965! Those people risked everything and we all owe them a big debt of gratitude.
Posted by: sam | Feb 19, 2007 1:02:26 PM
Thank you for all of your brave work, Barbara Gittings. Rest in Peace.
Posted by: peterparker | Feb 19, 2007 1:38:15 PM
I was lucky enough to meet her in 1989 . . . she was terrific & fun & so great at "raising the consciousness" of us young gay men who were far more interested in parties than politics . . . Barbara jump started many of us into becoming the activists we are today. Gittings: A great lady.
Posted by: Jay | Feb 19, 2007 6:03:31 PM
Wow had never heard of Gittings before - so many unkown bravehearts that have paved the way for us...
Posted by: Giovanni | Feb 19, 2007 6:55:56 PM
What a loss for our community. Barbara fought for us before it was safe to do so.
RIP.
Posted by: Alan | Feb 19, 2007 8:00:38 PM
WOW - to march proudly and openly in *1965*, FOUR decades ago. What courage. What incredible force of will and willingness to put herself out there, on the line, for what she believed in.
You have my deepest admiration and respect, Barbara.
RIP
Posted by: just sayin' | Feb 19, 2007 9:58:41 PM
Barbara Gittings was one of our countless queer elders to whom we owe....everything.
Posted by: digger | Feb 20, 2007 10:49:18 AM
What you wrote about Barbara was not incorrect: she was one of the earlier members of the Daughters of Bilitis, and one of its most prominent. She founded the first East Coach chapter of that organization and edited The Ladder for three and one half years.
Posted by: David Carter | Mar 4, 2007 5:47:19 PM
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