• Ivy Bottini


"I am deeply saddened at the passing of Barbara Gittings.  I did not know her well, but I was keenly aware of her work over the years.  She was a rock, a beacon, a port of safety.  We are losing our elders.  The loss of Barbara makes me feel a little less safe in this world.  We must recommit ourselves to our struggle for equality in Barbara's honor."
 

• Dr. Walter L Williams, Los Angeles, CA


"The world has lost a great pioneer, and a wonderful person, with the passing of Barbara Gittings.  I first met her in the early 1980s when I was heading the Greater Cincinnati Gay Coalition.  I remember being inspired by a speech she gave, and also by her personal graciousness when we talked individually after her speech.  Then later, when I was President of the International Gay and Lesbian Archives in the mid-1980s, we met again when Jim Kepner introduced us.

Although I am sure she did not remember me at that point, Barbara was to have a crucial impact on my career.  She was heading the American Library Association Gay Caucus, and she chaired the committee that awarded my book THE SPIRIT AND THE FLESH: SEXUAL DIVERSITY IN AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURE with its 1987 "Gay Book of the Year Award."  Even though I was not able to accept that award in person, due to being in Indonesia at the time of the ALA meetings, I was very moved to receive this award.  The founder of San Francisco's Gay American Indians group, Randy Burns, accepted the award from Barbara for me.

It was getting this national award that was crucial in overcoming homophobic reactions of some professors at my university, who were trying to get me fired for writing such a sex-positive book.  Armed with the ALA award, along with two other awards from the American Anthropological Association and the World Congress of Sexology, my supporters were able to convince the university administrators to award me tenure.  I am sure that there are many other stories that awardees of the ALA Gay Book of the Year Award could tell.  But I want to let everyone know how grateful I am for Barbara's brilliance in originating this award.  Her support was crucial in my tenure decision.  After writing this book, I went on to be promoted to full professor, and have at this point published ten books.  I could not have continued my work as an academic, and accomplished the things that I have done, without that award.

Later, when I was president of ONE Institute International Gay and Lesbian Archives, Barbara and my paths crossed again.  I am pleased that I had the chance to express my gratitude, and she and Kay and I became friends.  Every time I talked with her, I was reimpressed with her graciousness and kindness.

In 2003 I was honored to include a section on Barbara's pioneering work in a book that I wrote with Yolanda Retter, titled GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS IN THE UNITED STATES: A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY (Greenwood Press).  I am happy that she received the recognition that she fully deserved, while she was still alive, and I feel lucky to have known her.  She is a role model for so many, both for her accomplishments and for the exemplary quality of her compassionate personality.  Barbara Gittings is truly one of the great persons of the twentieth century. "
 

• Peg Cruikshank, Portland, ME


I first met Barbara through a full page picture of her in Ginny Vida's book Our Right to Love.  Late 70's I think that was. Later we had some contact through her work with the American Library Association. Sometime in the 80s, I stayed overnite with Barbara and Kay, and they took me around Philadelphia showing me the sights.  I have a vivid picture of a dinner at their house. Barbara went out on the porch to dry the lettuce, swinging the container over her head with wonderful vigor and determination. I think that same spirit shows through all her work for the movement.  I saw Barbara and Kay again in 05 at a meeting of gay/lesbian elders in Philadelphia, part of the American SOciety on Aging national convention, I believe, our first meeting in many years.  Barbara's talk was animated, informative, and humorous.

We will not see her like again.
 

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