Lesbian Avengers
Formation: Unknown
Founders: Local chapter started by Jocelyn Sandberg
Type: Advocacy
Purpose:
Closed:
Website:
Related People: Jocelyn Sandberg, Carolyn Cathey
An advocacy organization with a chapter in Colorado Springs, with a local chapter led by Jocelyn Sandberg.
History
Focus on the Family Demonstration
On September 25, 1993, the Southern Colorado Chapter of the Lesbian Avengers members of the Lesbian Avengers gathered at 9:30 A.M. Jocelyn Sandberg handed out tickets to the 25 protesters.
...at some point during the ceremony, start shouting and remove our sweatshirts to reveal Lesbian Avenger shirts.
While the Avengers were getting ready in a nearby parking lot, they were spotted by members of the Colorado Springs Police Department, who told the protesters they could not enter the event.
Seven protesters had already entered the event, two of whom were from the Springs. During the Pledge of Allegiance, the protesters turned to face the crowd and lifted their sweatshirts to show shirts with Lesbian Avenger and other related gay advocacy symbols. Officer T. Thompson of the CSPD informed anyone with a Lesbian Avengers shirt or holding a sign that they needed to leave.
"You can get up and walk out, or I'll take your elbow and we'll walk out together," he said. "This is private property and I'm not gonna mess with you. You'll be charged with trespassing." Three of the protesters began shouting, "Gay and lesbian rights now!" "We are all part of your family!" "We are family! I've got all my sisters with me!" and "Jesus loves me too!" Three protesters were arrested, one of whom was Tressa Priest of Manitou Springs.
The demonstrators who were intercepted outside of the event were across the street protesting.
Given the police presence and the speed with which they intercepted the protesters, organizers suspected that they somehow knew in advance.
It's all about protecting our lives. It's all about making sure we have all the freedoms that are basic and necessary to do what we want to do.
Community Impacts
Photos
Key Dates
- September 25, 1993 - Seven members of the Lesbian Avengers are arrested at the Focus on the Family opening ceremony. Seven other members had tickets to the event. Four were led off the property, three were arrested under investigation of disorderly conduct. Named in the October 11, 1993 issue of Stonewall News: Tressa Priest of Manitou Springs. [2]
- October 25, 1993 - The Lesbian Avengers appear in court regarding their demonstration at the Focus on the Family opening ceremony. [2:1]
References
Eyl, Jennifer. “Focus on the Family Headquarters Dedicated, Protests Thwarted.” Weird Sister 3, no. 1 (1993): 10-. Archives of Sexuality and Gender. https://link-gale-com.turing.library.northwestern.edu/apps/doc/XTFJVF416013096/GDCS?u=northwestern&sid=bookmark-GDCS&pg=10&xid=41e31722. ↩︎
“Lesbian Avengers, Denver.” No. ORGFIL0847. Lesbian Herstory Archives, October 11, 1993. Lesbian Herstory Archives (ORGFIL0847). Archives of Sexuality and Gender, link.gale.com/apps/doc/AYNXSU883954564/GDCS?u=northwestern&sid=bookmark-GDCS&xid=b8a18b8e&pg=2. ↩︎ ↩︎