The Lesbian Avengers
History
Founded in 1992 in New York City, the Lesbian Avengers were a direct action group focused on lesbian visibility and survival. Unsatisfied with lobbying or letter writing, Lesbian Avengers took to high-impact street activism aimed to propel lesbians into public society anddiscourse. The founding members, Ana Simo, Sara Schulman, Maxine Wolfe, Anne-christine d'Adesky, Marie Honan, and Anne Maguire, were all active members of various LGBT groups throughout the 80s and 90s. Frustrated by a severe lack of visibility on lesbian issues these women met together to establish a mission, a name, first actions, and media production, drawing inspiration from other lesbian-centered collectives and organizations. Once formed, it wasn’t long before the group began to expand within the United States. The group’s success was due in part to a narrow focus on lesbian issues, and participants who were young, passionate, and media ambitious. Its influence spread worldwide after the Dyke March on the eve of the Lesbian and Gay March on Washington in 1993.
Usage of Media
The Lesbian Avengers relied heavily on the media to gain the visibility necessary to discuss lesbian issues. Visual impact shaped the Lesbian Avengers approach to activism, from creating outreach and propaganda committees, to headlining local news stories, to the creation of the Lesbian Avenger Handbook. Media was a necessary vessel to infiltrate and create lasting impact—the Lesbian Avenger Handbook was specifically created to establish guidelines on press literacy and how to attract press attention. These approaches, however, were not always successful, and the Avengers struggled to gain wider media attention. Nevertheless, when they could not capitalize on the power of the press through material creation, they relied on strategic attacks, organizing protests at magazine publications, radio news channels, and more.
One of the most critical aspects of the media created by the Lesbian Avengers was its internal impact. While the Avengers’ media campaign obviously aided in efforts to increase lesbian visibility in public discourse, it was also useful in exposing young activists to newsletters documenting lesbian life and party flyers advertising social events in the community. These physical objects served as necessary tools to recruit, connect, and defend the Lesbian Avengers and its mission, and also fostered a sense of togetherness and understanding.
Fire-Eating
The Lesbian Avengers adopted fire-eating in response to the 1992 fire-bombing of the apartment of Hattie Mae Cohens and Brian Mocks. This tragic murder prompted Avengers at a West Village encampment to march, carrying torches and burning pictures of prominent anti-LGBTQ figures in protest against LGBTQ violence. Choreographer Jennifer Monson introduced the action of eating the fire, marking it as a symbol of reclamation for the Lesbian Avengers. The act itself is meant to both draw attention but also serve as symbolism for lesbian visibility—"the fire will not consume us. We take it and make it our own."
Dyke March
Dyke TV and the Dyke March stand as pillars of visibility and empowerment within the LGBTQ+ community, united in their shared mission of amplifying lesbian voices. Founded in 1993 by Ana Maria Simo, Linda Chapman, and Mary Patierno, Dyke TV revolutionized television programming by providing a platform exclusively dedicated to lesbian narratives and issues. Broadcasting nationwide until 2005, Dyke TV reached millions of households, offering a diverse array of content spanning art, news, politics, and culture. The project’s goal was to draw focus to lesbian communities as well as align with the broader goals of LGTBQ+ activism: challenging stereotypes and advocating for social change.
Similarly created in 1993 as a response to the marginalization of lesbians within mainstream Pride events, the Dyke March quickly grew into a global phenomenon. Rejecting corporate sponsorship, the March prioritized inclusivity and activism, reclaiming public space and celebrating the diversity of lesbian identities. The Dyke March embodies the spirit of resistance and solidarity, empowering individuals to take ownership of their identities and advocate for their rights.
Both Dyke TV and the Dyke March recognize the importance of intersectionality in LGBTQ+ activism. Dyke TV’s commitment to showcasing diverse voices and experiences reflects an understanding of the intersecting oppressions faced by lesbian communities. As pioneers in their respective fields, Dyke TV and the Dyke March have played important roles in shaping LGBTQ+ culture and activism by providing platforms for storytelling and advocacy, and continue to inspire future generations to embrace their identities, resist oppression, and strive for a more inclusive world.
Impact & Legacy
While the Lesbian Avengers’ first chapter was based in New York, their message soon took hold all over the country. Aside from organizing events like the Dyke March, the Lesbian Avengers held protests across the globe, often in response to injustices and hate faced by lesbians. The burning of a trailer owned by Florida based lesbian activist Dee DeBerry resulted in the arrival of several dozen Lesbian Avengers to protest the arson by eating fire, performing outreach, a slow drive over the bridge into Tampa, and holding a candlelight vigil. The local news channels’ responses to this protest can be seen, collected and digitized on this website. However, this was not the only instance of the Lesbian Avengers reaching beyond their New York roots and making an impact in the wider world. In addition to events like the Dyke March, the Lesbian Avengers opened chapters and held actions similar to the one held in Florida all across the country in the early 1990s.
The Lesbian Avengers remained visible even after they officially disbanded in 1997. The Avengers inspired countless offshoot organizations that would continue their work into the 21st century, and many of the larger activist groups can trace their origins to the Lesbian Avengers. Dyke TV outlasted the organization, and aired on 78 public access channels, covering everything from headline news to movie reviews until 2005. The Lesbian Avengers constant activism and hard-work helped put lesbians on the map, with their visibility being at an all time high by the turn of the century.
Lesbian Avengers Today
The Lesbian Avengers reappeared in the spotlight more recently due to a controversy involving the Gap and Pride month in 2021. Gap released a white t-shirt printed with the Avengers’ logo, a lit bomb, circled by the words “The Lesbian Avengers,” which former members believed to have been stolen. They interpreted it as a continuation of the corporate commodification of the community that has become characteristic of Pride month. However, it was revealed that former Lesbian Avenger and designer of the logo, Carrie Moyer, had sold the logo to Gap, with the intention of bringing awareness to the group. The money she received was donated to the Lesbian Herstory Archives.
While Moyer had not contacted most of the founders, she had not acted unilaterally and consulted with Lesbian Avengers founder Maxine Wolfe first. Wolfe was convinced to give her approval, as the t-shirt would have historical information on the back, contextualizing the logo. However, the text that ultimately went on the back of the t-shirt had not been approved by Moyer or Wolfe, and Moyer later requested that the t-shirt be removed from stores. Additionally, cofounders Anne-christine d’Adesky, Ana Maria Simo, Sarah Schulman issued a statement against the Gap t-shirt and the licensing of the logo without the permission of all founding members.