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Let's begin this series by introducing perhaps the most iconic lesbian activist group of the 90s, the Lesbian Avengers. Founded in 1992 in New York City, the group quickly became known for their upfront and controversial methods of activism, grounded in issues of lesbian feminism, invisibility and survival. Importantly, the collective took an admirable intersectional stance. Much of their work surrounded the promotion of a ‘Rainbow Curriculum’, which aimed to make the American education system radically more inclusive, not just in terms of gender and sexuality, but race too.
What seems most impressive about the Lesbian Avengers was their fearless attitude towards a very heavy opposition. Rather than campaigning in places where they knew they had support, the group actively selected District 24 in NYC to rally, an area rife with homophobic opposition to the ‘Rainbow Curriculum’. The Avengers led their all-lesbian marching band through the streets of this right-wing neighbourhood, arriving at the gates of a local primary school. They conveyed their message through powerful visual means, handing lilac balloons to the children and wearing t-shirts stating ‘I was a lesbian child’. The group’s documentary (linked below) depicts the shocking reaction of parents to this demonstration, who demand their children let go of the balloons, and usher them quickly through the school gates.
However, reactions such as these didn’t prevent further upfront activism. The group is perhaps most famous for their fire-breathing, performed in front of the White House at the 1993 ‘Dyke March’. 20,000 protestors witnessed this powerful display, reminded of the movement’s emotional backstory. The previous year, a petrol bomb had been thrown into the apartment of two members of the LGBTQ+ community, where they tragically burned to death. This gave rise to the Avengers’ symbolic group chant: “The fire will not consume us. We take it and make it our own’’.
Their activism can tell us much about the difficulties of homophobic stereotypes that live on today. Whilst this demonstration outside the gates of the local primary school was a bold and powerful mode of political expression, some members panicked that it would exacerbate discrimination, since gay and lesbian people had so often been stereotyped as child predators. This highlights a common dilemma in activism, although the Avengers concluded that these stereotypes were exactly why their presence in these environments was necessary.
The Lesbian Avengers demonstrated an admirable and fearless dedication to the cause, so this month let's remember them! If you'd like to learn more, then their 1993 documentary (linked below) is a fascinating watch. As pointed out on the Avengers' website, "even today, [the documentary] inspires as much as it does instruct. If they can do it, I can, too".
Lesbian Avengers Eat Fire Too original documentary - http://www.lesbianavengers.com/about/documentary_1993.shtml
Lesbian Avengers original handbook - https://actupny.org/documents/Avengers.html