Lesbian Avengers

The Lesbian Avengers were founded in 1992 in New York City, the direct action group was formed with the intent to create an organization that focuses on lesbian issues and visibility through humorous and untraditional activism.^[1]^[2] The group was founded by six individuals: Ana Maria Simo, Anne Maguire, Anne-Christine D'Adesky, Marie Honan, Maxine Wolfe, and Sarah Schulman.

The founding members of the Avengers attempted to address the lack of visibility lesbians had throughout the media. Multiple members claimed that the lack of diversity and the focus on white men in the gay rights movement is one of the reasons that inspired them to create a movement for lesbians.^[3]

There were multiple chapters of the Lesbian Avengers within different cities such as: New York, San Francisco, and Denver.^[4] Different chapters of the Lesbian Avengers expanded their missions to focus on issues of race, class, and gender.^[5] The Lesbian Avengers engaged in different forms of activism. One of the most notable accomplishments is the formation of the annual Dyke March. Other notable forms of activism include fire-breathing and protests against Proposition 8.

Though some groups continue to hold demonstrations on an irregular basis (San Francisco Avengers demonstrated against Proposition 8), one of the Lesbian Avengers' most enduring legacy may be the annual Dyke March.

^ "The ACT UP Historical Archive: The Lesbian Avengers Handbook". actupny.org. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
^ Kameya, Valerie (Spring 1996). "The lesbian avengers fight back". Canadian Woman Studies. 16 (2): 99–101. ProQuest 217453933.
^ George, Cassidy (2021-06-25). "An Oral History of the Lesbian Avengers". The Cut. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
^ "Flyer -- Lesbian Avengers: "Thirty-Five Chapters and Counting: Lesbian Avenger Activist, we are taking back our rights" · Georgia State University Library Exhibits". exhibits.library.gsu.edu. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
^ Leng, Kirsten (2020). "Fumerism as Queer Feminist Activism: Humour and Rage in the Lesbian Avengers' Visibility Politics". Gender & History. 32 (1): 108–130. doi:10.1111/1468-0424.12450. ISSN 1468-0424. S2CID 216298560.

[1] "The ACT UP Historical Archive: The Lesbian Avengers Handbook". actupny.org. Retrieved 2022-02-22.

[2] Kameya, Valerie (Spring 1996). "The lesbian avengers fight back". Canadian Woman Studies. 16 (2): 99–101. ProQuest 217453933.

[3] George, Cassidy (2021-06-25). "An Oral History of the Lesbian Avengers". The Cut. Retrieved 2022-02-22.

[4] "Flyer -- Lesbian Avengers: "Thirty-Five Chapters and Counting: Lesbian Avenger Activist, we are taking back our rights" · Georgia State University Library Exhibits". exhibits.library.gsu.edu. Retrieved 2022-02-22.

[5] Leng, Kirsten (2020). "Fumerism as Queer Feminist Activism: Humour and Rage in the Lesbian Avengers' Visibility Politics". Gender & History. 32 (1): 108–130. doi:10.1111/1468-0424.12450. ISSN 1468-0424. S2CID 216298560.

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