I cried when heard of her passing, mostly because of the loss to Phyllis, her daughter, and her grandchildren, and for the loss to the world. For the GLBT community, it is our “shot
that rang out throughout the world,” not unlike the deaths of JFK, RFK, MLK, Gandhi, and so forth for others. It is truly a sad day for us, and a one of peace to her. In the latter, I take great comfort.

I am eternally grateful for the tireless work that both Del and Phyllis did for our community, and in essence, the entire world. They opened the doors that may never have been opened without them. So often we walk through those doors and forget who opened them for us… and held them open… and then, took the doors off of the hinges so they may never be shut on us again.

I can only imagine she is now in heaven relaxing in a comfy lounger at a spa reserved for all of the great women leaders, reformists, and activists in the world. She is telling one of
her many fabulous tales to an audience of those that have passed before her: Harriet Tubman, Coretta Scott King, Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Golda Meir, Betty Friedan,
Bella Abzug, Emma Goldman, Julia Ward Howe, Margaret Sanger, Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt, Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Blackwell, Helen Keller, Florence Nightingale, Shirley Chisholm… the gallery of women leaders goes on. Next to her, sits an empty chair with a sign that says, “Reserved for Phyllis.” She waits for the day when she and her beloved Phyllis are reunited for all eternity.

Now we as a country face another loss by opponents of same-sex marriage in the State of California. Even though Proposition 8 in California isn’t something that Oregonians can vote for; nevertheless, it will have devastating consequences and will set a precedent for every state in our country if it passes. Proposition 8 is an initiative measure on the November 2008 California General Election Ballot that, if passed, would amend the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. The measure as submitted for the ballot by petitioners is called the “California Marriage Protection Act.” The ballot “eliminates right of same-sex couples to marry.”

In a San Jose Mercury News editorial on August 17, 2008, the editorial piece stated, “Marriage is the most personal of commitments, and it already means different things to
different couples. Some marry for love, others expediency. Some have children, others don’t, or couldn’t if they wanted to. There is no merit test; people marry despite histories
of domestic violence, rape or child abuse. Why would couples determine the value of their own vows based on who else is allowed to take them?”

The editorial further condemned the proposition; “The State Constitution should never be amended to limit Californians’ right to their own personal and religious beliefs. It should
scrupulously uphold equal rights under the law. That is what it now does, based on a State Supreme Court ruling this year affirming a right to same-sex marriage. Voters should not take the extraordinary step of amending the Constitution to take a right away. They should reject Proposition 8.”

According to recent polls, the measure is failing by a slim margin, but that could change over the next two months. We can help to insure that the measure fails by contributing a
gift to “Vote No on Proposition 8″ as Phyllis Lyon, Del’s wife has asked for in lieu of flowers. Think of it if you must, as a belated wedding gift to the couple that stood at the forefront
of civil rights for all GLBT people around the world and in reality, for all humans. For information on how to donate even the smallest amount, please go to:
https://secure.ga4.org/01/equalityforall.

May we all have even just a fraction of the dedication that she gave so much of to us. The world is truly a better place because of her (and Phyllis). Del can be likened to a giant tree that has fallen in the forest, but now the downed tree becomes a new home for all the seedlings she left behind.

Again, thank you for the news and the tribute to Del.

Cari Boatright Cagle