Barbara Gittings

Barbara Gittings was a prominent American LGBT rights activist, often referred to as the "mother of the LGBT rights movement". She was a key figure in the Daughters of Bilitis, a lesbian rights organization, and worked closely with other notable activists, including Frank Kameny and Del Martin. Gittings' activism was heavily influenced by her involvement with the Mattachine Society and her interactions with other prominent figures, such as Harry Hay and Phyllis Lyon. Her work was also shaped by the Stonewall riots, a pivotal event in the LGBT rights movement that sparked widespread activism and protests, including the Christopher Street Liberation Day.

● Early Life and Education

Gittings was born in Vienna, Austria to an American family and spent her early years in Montclair, New Jersey. She attended Northwestern University, where she studied English literature and became involved with the Student Union. During her time at Northwestern University, Gittings was exposed to the works of Radclyffe Hall and Virginia Woolf, which had a significant impact on her understanding of lesbianism and her own identity. She also became familiar with the Kinsey Reports, a series of studies on human sexuality conducted by Alfred Kinsey and his team at the Institute for Sex Research.

● Activism and Career

Gittings' activism began in the 1950s, when she became involved with the Daughters of Bilitis, a lesbian rights organization founded by Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon. She worked closely with other notable activists, including Frank Kameny and Ernestine Eckstein, to promote LGBT rights and challenge discriminatory laws, such as the LGBT purges and the Comstock laws. Gittings was also a key figure in the New York City LGBT rights movement, where she worked with organizations like the Gay Activists Alliance and the Gay Liberation Front. Her activism was influenced by the Civil Rights Movement, the Women's liberation movement, and the Anti-war movement, and she often collaborated with activists from these movements, including Bayard Rustin and Gloria Steinem.

● Personal Life

Gittings' personal life was marked by her long-term relationship with Kay Lahusen, a photographer and activist who worked with Gittings on various projects, including the Ladder (magazine). The couple met in the 1960s and remained together until Gittings' death in 2007. Gittings and Lahusen were involved in various LGBT rights organizations and events, including the Annual Reminders and the Stonewall riots. They also worked with other notable couples, such as Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, to promote LGBT rights and challenge discriminatory laws.

● Legacy and Impact

Gittings' legacy is profound, and her impact on the LGBT rights movement is still felt today. She was a key figure in the development of the LGBT rights movement, and her work paved the way for future generations of activists, including Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Gittings' activism was recognized by various organizations, including the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the Human Rights Campaign. She received numerous awards, including the GLAAD Media Award and the Lambda Literary Award, for her contributions to the LGBT rights movement.

● Major Works and Publications

Gittings was a prolific writer and editor, and her work was published in various LGBT rights publications, including the Ladder (magazine) and The Gay Crusader. She also worked on several books, including Homosexuality: A Selective Bibliography and The Gay Agenda. Gittings' writing was influenced by the works of Simone de Beauvoir and Betty Friedan, and she often collaborated with other notable writers, including Rita Mae Brown and Audre Lorde. Her work continues to be celebrated and studied by scholars and activists, including those at the University of California, Los Angeles and the New York Public Library.