A Collective Editorial

Following months of heated debate, the San Francisco chapter of the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) voted against the inclusion of transsexual women on November 17, 1972, leading to the ouster of Beth Elliott, vice president of the chapter (and the subsequent protest resignation of the entire staff of Sisters, the chapter's monthly newsletter). Cofounders of DOB, Del Martin and Phyllis Lyons, had argued for a compromise position, ultimately rejected, which excluded transsexual women but allowed an exception for Elliott in light of her long-standing involvement (Córdova 1972: 21). Articles both in defense of and against the inclusion of transsexual women had been written and circulated prior to the vote. These articles were also discussed by the Los Angeles–based Tide Collective, which held a vote on the issue and then sent a telegram to the San Francisco DOB the evening of the vote in San Francisco. The message of...