Jeanne Córdova: A Lesbian Activist

Abstract

This thesis is a study of the public and political contributions of Jeanne Córdova to the cause of lesbian activism whilst arguing for her overall historical significance. Córdova was a prominent activist in the 1970s lesbian feminist movement. Her past primarily shaped her dedication to activism and the intersection of her multiple identities. Being a woman, a lesbian, and a Chicana influenced how Córdova made her decisions regarding the creation and leadership of her many lesbian feminist contributions. Focusing mainly on her memoir, interviews, and eulogies from her peers, this thesis hopes to solidify her historical contribution to not only the grassroots of both the Gay Liberation and Women’s movements in Los Angeles but to lesbian activism as a whole. Perhaps her most notable contribution to lesbian feminism was her activist periodical The Lesbian Tide, which ran from 1971-1980, providing in its pages a community for the isolated and a platform for the rising radicals. As a prominent organiser, journalist, and outspoken anti-separatist, she influenced the West Coast activist locale in a decidedly unique way. By looking at her personal history, the decade of relevance and the importance of print journalism as a vehicle for activism, the historical significance of Jeanne Córdova becomes clear.