Eight Lessons from the Daughters of Bilitis
In the 1950s, the Daughters of Bilitis banded together to fight widespread homophobia. Here’s how they did it—and how today’s lesbians can do it again.
The Daughters of Bilitis was the first lesbian political organization in the U.S., established in San Francisco in 1955. The organization disbanded in 1970, but its history provides a blueprint for today’s lesbian organizations to follow.
1. They were a grassroots organization. The Daughters of Bilitis wasn’t funded by corporations or career lobbyists. It was a grassroots organization by lesbians, for lesbians. And its members were not well off. Many DOB members supported themselves by working full-time, and donated their time and energy to the fight for lesbian equality. Because it was grassroots and not a nonprofit, the DOB’s members got to determine the organization’s direction, and keep their focus on the issues that concerned them most.
2. They valued community. The DOB was a political organization, but it started out as a private social club. Members danced together, went out for meals together, and talked often—not just about politics, but about their interests and personal lives. And many couples and groups of friends joined the DOB together. The result was an organization whose members were committed to each other and to their common cause.
3. They mentored and supported each other. Older or more “out” members of the DOB supported their younger and shyer counterparts, helping them to be comfortable with themselves and trying to keep them out of bars where they could be arrested. One member, Billye Talmadge, even hosted a support group in her home, with up to 70 women in attendance at a time. By mentoring younger members, the DOB’s leaders improved the lives of hundreds of lesbians, and raised a generation of lesbian activists.
“Del [Martin] and I were like peer counselors to every member, and we stopped and picked them up to bring them to the meetings.”
— Phyllis Lyon, Daughters of Bilitis cofounder
4. They focused on a single issue. While many of its members were active in the civil rights movement, second-wave feminism, unions, or anti-war activism, the DOB itself focused its energy on a single goal: combating violence and discrimination against lesbians. The organization’s narrow focus got results because it allowed for broad appeal and a large membership with diverse points of view on other issues.
5. They used simple, positive messages. While the DOB printed diverse viewpoints in their magazine The Ladder, they had one simple message for the public: that lesbians are normal people who deserve respect and legal rights. Though this positive messaging was often smeared as “assimilationist,” the DOB held firm—and their strategy worked. Thanks to former DOB members, lesbians and gay men are protected against workplace discrimination in many areas of the U.S.
6. They appealed to the average voter. The Daughters of Bilitis understood that in order to create lasting change, we have to change the minds of the voting public, not just lobby current government officials. While the DOB certainly did their share of lobbying, they also focused on public outreach through public speaking, publication, and a series of national conventions.
“The struggle is really won in the hearts and minds of the community, where it really counts.”
— Barbara Gittings, founder of the DOB’s New York chapter
7. They respected their members’ privacy. Because it’s often so dangerous for lesbians to come out and speak the truth, the DOB allowed and even encouraged its members to work anonymously or under pen names. Women from Ernestine Eppenger (“Eckstein”) to Edythe Eyde (“Lisa Ben”) used aliases when picketing, attending meetings, or writing for The Ladder. By lessening their members’ chances of being outed, the DOB made it possible for these women to speak out at all.
8. Their leaders gave 100%. The DOB’s leaders gave everything to the organization, including their time, the use of their houses, and a massive amount of energy and courage. Del Martin, Phyllis Lyon, and Billye Talmadge often hosted DOB meetings in their homes. And as president of the New York chapter, Ruth Simpson stood between her members and police who illegally entered DOB offices and threatened her life. Thanks to these dedicated women, the DOB stayed together for 15 years, and made progress toward changing the public perception of lesbians.
Call for Volunteers
Lesbians United continues to expand our membership and our community. We welcome driven and committed volunteers from all backgrounds and with many skill sets, including writing and editing, translation, graphic design, public speaking, research, social media, scientific literacy, and legal training. If you’re a lesbian and you have the time to volunteer, consider reaching out to info@lesbians-united.org to request a volunteer application today.