Born: 1940 (Buffalo, New York)
Died: 2021
Biography:
Madeline Davis (July 7, 1940 – April 28, 2021) was an American LGBT activist and historian. She played a crucial role in advocating for gay rights and documenting the history of the lesbian community in Buffalo, New York. Davis’ activism spanned several decades, during which she made significant contributions to the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights.
Madeline Davis was born on July 7, 1940, in Buffalo, New York, to a factory worker at the Ford Motor plant and a homemaker named Harriet. She grew up in Buffalo’s East Side, the oldest of three children, and had a loving and supportive upbringing. Davis often compared her parents to the wholesome family portrayed in the popular 1950s sitcom, Ozzie and Harriet. She described herself as a nice Jewish girl and expressed a deep love for books and libraries from an early age. As a teenager, she worked at the North Jefferson branch of the public library and developed a fascination with the Lockwood Memorial Library at the University at Buffalo.
After graduating from Bennett High School in 1958, Davis earned a college scholarship and began working as a page at the Lockwood Memorial Library. She pursued her passion for literature and graduated from the University at Buffalo with a degree in English and a master’s in library science in the 1960s. During this time, Davis also immersed herself in Buffalo’s beatnik coffeehouse scene and started singing at these establishments.
Davis’ involvement in political activism began in 1970 when she co-founded the Mattachine Society of the Niagara Frontier, the first gay rights organization in Western New York. Initially tasked with organizing a library for the organization, Davis and other members eventually created Fifth Freedom, the earliest magazine for the LGBTQ+ community in the region. Her contributions to the Mattachine Society led to her appointment as the organization’s president.
In the 1970s, Davis organized an event called Legislative Night, where local candidates for public office answered questions and sought endorsements for the first time in Buffalo’s political history. She also played a pivotal role in the gay rights movement, marching and speaking at the first gay rights rally at the New York State Capitol in 1971. Davis actively participated in lobbying efforts to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in the state legislature.
One of Davis’ most notable achievements was becoming the first openly lesbian delegate at a major party national convention. In 1972, she spoke at the Democratic National Convention, bringing attention to the rights and experiences of the lesbian community. Additionally, Davis partnered with Margaret Small to teach the first course on lesbianism in the United States, titled Lesbianism 101 at the University at Buffalo, in the same year. This groundbreaking course aimed to increase understanding and foster dialogue around lesbian experiences.
In 1993, Davis co-authored the book Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community. The book explored the history of gay women in Buffalo, New York, and received acclaim from various academic and literary organizations, including awards from the American Sociological Association, the American Anthropological Association, and the Lambda Literary Foundation. Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold remains an important contribution to LGBTQ+ history.
Madeline Davis continued her activism by participating in the founding of the HAG Theatre Company in 1994. This organization became the first all-lesbian theater company in the United States, providing a platform for lesbian artists to share their stories and experiences through the performing arts.
With her unwavering dedication to LGBTQ+ rights and her significant contributions as an activist, historian, and author, Madeline Davis left an indelible mark on the struggle for equality. She played a crucial role in documenting and preserving the history of the lesbian community and advocating for the rights of all LGBTQ+ individuals.
Awards:
– Awards from the American Sociological Association
– Awards from the American Anthropological Association
– Lambda Literary Foundation award for Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community.