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Essay / The Origin and Development of the Daughters of Bilitis Organization Founded in 1955 in San Francisco, the Daughters of Bilitis began as a secret social club for lesbians at a time when the LGBT community faced discrimination and hostility. Two of the best-known founding members were Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon. They moved to San Francisco as a couple and discovered there was no LGBT community there. When they had the chance to join a small lesbian social club, they quickly accepted the opportunity. Soon this small club became the DOB. In the late 1950s, other DOB chapters were founded across America. Early in its development, the DOB abandoned its initial social intent to become a political organization defending lesbian rights. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The Daughters of Bilitis were at the time parallel to another gay rights group called the Mattachine Society. This organization, founded in Los Angeles in 1951 by gay men, aimed to raise awareness about issues related to homosexuality. Like the DOB, the Mattachine Society began as a social group and later evolved into a political activist organization. They had several similarities in their efforts with the gay community. The DOB and the Mattachine Society urged their members to participate in studies and properly educate the public that homosexuality is not a “disease” to be cured. They fought against the fear felt by the queer community throughout the 1950s and '60s, when bigotry and police raids on gay and lesbian bars were widespread. They also both strive to fit into the community at large rather than holding a separate identity based on gender and sexuality. However, tensions existed when the two groups were thought to be collaborating, as each group's efforts focused on their respective advocacy for lesbians and gay men. Despite the end of the national organization in the 1970s, the Daughters of Bilitis are credited with many accomplishments in the gay rights movement. On a social level, the DOB provided opportunities for lesbians to meet and share their individual experiences. This allowed them to found a gay community at a time when heteronormativity flourished. They held their first national convention in 1960. Broadcast under the title "Ten Days in August," it was a success at the Wickham Hotel in San Francisco. In 1956, the DOB began publishing its monthly newsletter, The Ladder. Readers would find articles, interviews, event calendars, and writings (especially poetry and short fiction) related to lesbian issues and achievements. After the organization disbanded, Martin and Lyon remained active in the women's and gay rights movements. In 2004, they were the first gay couple to receive a marriage certificate in San Francisco. It seems only right that the two people who started it all should have this opportunity first, even though all gay and lesbian couples should have had this legal right a long time ago. LGBT FoundationThe LGBT Foundation, officially established in April 2015, is a national organization. charitable organization for services to the lesbian, gay,.?
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