[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 28, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                  CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF PHYLLIS LYON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 2020

  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
beautiful life and legacy of a dear friend, Phyllis Lyon, who passed 
away peacefully on April 9, 2020 at the age of 95. Phyllis Lyon was an 
icon of San Francisco and a trailblazer in the fight for civil rights, 
who dedicated her entire life to advancing equality for the LGBTQ 
community. Her passing is a profound official loss for the countless 
San Franciscans whose lives she touched and a deep personal loss for 
her many friends and loved ones.
  Phyllis, along with her late wife Del Martin, was a pioneer in the 
fight for LGBTQ equality. In their kitchen, in 1955, they created the 
Daughters of Bilitis, the first national lesbian rights organization. 
Through their skillful advocacy and Phyllis's brilliant writing, they 
helped lesbians and all LGBTQ Americans unite in solidarity and, in the 
process, helped develop the foundation on which the entire LGBTQ 
equality movement was built.
  Phyllis was a tireless force for progress. As a journalist and 
community organizer, she fought relentlessly to decriminalize 
homosexuality, promote women's health and end employment discrimination 
in San Francisco. In all her endeavors, Phyllis's voice and expertise 
were instrumental in bringing our nation closer to its founding promise 
of justice and equality for all.
  In 1979, the Lyon-Martin Health Services, named in honor of Phyllis 
and Del, was created to provide LGBTQ women access to quality, 
comprehensive health care, free from fear, stigma or discrimination. In 
its four decades of service to the Bay Area community, the Lyon-Martin 
Health Services has become an essential lifeline for countless women 
and their families, regardless of who they are or whom they love. As a 
model for community-based care, it is a fitting tribute to Phyllis's 
legacy of service and commitment to lifting up all vulnerable 
communities.
  Phyllis and Del's passion, dedication and vision were an inspiration 
to me and to generations of leaders, activists and public servants. In 
1995, I was honored to appoint Phyllis to the White House Conference on 
Aging where she advocated powerfully to ensure that the needs of the 
most vulnerable were heard at the decision-making table. It was a 
privilege to speak of Phyllis and Del's beautiful commitment to each 
other on the Floor of the House during the debate of the so-called 
Defense of Marriage Act and, again, last year, as the House passed the 
landmark Equality Act to finally end LGBTQ discrimination once and for 
all.
  All those who were blessed to know Phyllis and Del remember the 
extraordinary love that they had for each other and the great joy we 
felt watching them becoming the first same-sex marriage recognized in 
San Francisco. As we mourn the loss of our dear Phyllis, we find peace 
in knowing that she and Del are together again. May it be a comfort to 
their daughter Kendra, Phyllis's sister Patricia, grandchildren Lorri 
and Kevin and her entire family that so many mourn their loss and pray 
for them at this sad time.

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