Celebrating the Life of Del Martin

Shares the moving memorial service for this lifelong civil rights pioneer.

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Legendary lesbian civil rights pioneer Del Martin passed away in 2008. To honor her incomparable contributions, San Francisco celebrated her life with a moving civic celebration in its City Hall grand rotunda. Phyllis Lyon, her partner for over 50 years, was, of course, in attendance, along with a who’s who of city’s pioneering community of LGBT rights’ advocates.

Highlighting the festivities were Mayor Gavin Newsom, Ambassador James Hormel, National Center for Lesbian Rights executive director Kate Kendell, and performers Holly Near, Linda Tillery, and Margie Adam. Del’s daughter, Kendra Mon, shared some intimate memories, including tales of Del simulating the JFK-Nixon debates and the story of how a cat saved her moms’ romance. We are happy to be able to share this extraordinary gathering, which honored the life of the mother of our movement.

“[One] of the festival’s finest moments….Chasnoff was able to capture the risk-taking, the community service, and also the fun that Martin and Lyon have provided as an inspiration for future leaders.” —San Francisco Bay Times

“When we saw the film, we just loved it. Whether or not you were at City Hall on the momentous day of Martin’s civil memorial service, this film shares the eloquence and joy of the event.”

—KC Price, Executive Director, Frameline

To book the film for a festival or community event screening for Celebrating the Life of Del Martin, contact Debra Chasnoff.

Celebrating the Life of Del Martin will be released on DVD in 2012. If you’d like to be notified — and stay up with other GroundSpark news, join our email list.