In 1970, a group of lesbian feminists disrupted a major feminist conference in New York City, igniting a battle for inclusion within the women’s liberation movement. Known as the “Lavender Menace,” the protest was a direct response to the exclusion of lesbians from the mainstream feminist agenda, a struggle that would go on to alter the course of feminist history.
The term “Lavender Menace” itself was coined by Betty Friedan, the co-founder of the National Organization for Women (NOW), who referred to lesbians as a “menace” to the movement. This derogatory label became the rallying cry for the group of radical lesbians, who organized an action at the NOW’s Second Congress to Unite Women in 1970. Karla Jay, one of the leading figures in the protest, recalled how she dramatically removed her blouse to reveal a “Lavender Menace” T-shirt, marking her and her fellow activists’ stand against the marginalization of lesbians in feminist spaces. The protesters, who identified as the Radicalesbians, issued their manifesto, “The Woman-Identified Woman,” which argued that lesbianism was not a fringe issue but central to the success of the feminist movement.
The protest, though small in number, had a profound impact. By confronting the audience at the conference, the Radicalesbians not only challenged homophobia within feminist circles but also gave visibility to lesbian feminists, who had long been sidelined. The group’s activism forced a reckoning within NOW, which in 1971 passed a resolution acknowledging the oppression of lesbians as part of the feminist struggle. However, full inclusion was not achieved until 1977, when NOW officially recognized lesbian rights.
Over five decades later, members of the Lavender Menace gathered at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York, reflecting on their contributions and offering advice for today’s activists. Flavia Rando, a former Lavender Menace participant, emphasized that the fight for LGBTQ rights is far from over, with growing backlash against transgender rights and the ongoing struggle for gender equality. “We’re an easy target,” she noted, drawing a parallel between the historical fight for lesbian rights and current challenges facing the LGBTQ community.
The impact of the Lavender Menace lives on today. The protest not only changed the women’s movement but also laid the foundation for the broader LGBTQ rights movement. As LGBTQ activists continue to push for equality, the spirit of the Lavender Menace—bold, unapologetic, and determined—remains a vital part of the ongoing struggle for justice and inclusion.