What was the Lavender Menace? A look back at the lesbians who altered the women’s movement

In 1970, at a women's rights event in New York City organized by the National Organization for Women (NOW), lesbian feminists disrupted to demand recognition. They were tired of being overlooked and marginalized within feminism. Activist Karla Jay famously revealed her "Lavender Menace" shirt during this protest, reclaiming an insult once used against lesbians. The radical lesbians group made their voices heard about LGBTQ inclusion, eventually prompting NOW to acknowledge lesbian issues as legitimate concerns by 1971. Recently, when many protesters reunited to reflect on their fight, they stressed that activism is still crucial today due to ongoing attacks on LGBTQ rights. Veteran activist Martha Shelley encouraged current enerations to vote and keep striving for justice and social change—reminding them every small action contributes to a larger movement for equality and acceptance.

What was the Lavender Menace? A look back at the lesbians who altered the women’s movement

A group of feminist lesbians staged a “Lavender Menace” protest at a women’s conference more than a half-century ago that forever changed the feminist movement.

NBC NewsJillian Eugenios