Kendra Mon oral history interview transcript

Lyon-Martin House Oral History Project interview with Kendra Mon.
ABSTRACT:
Kendra Mon is Del Martin’s biological daughter, from Martin’s first marriage. She lived with Del and Phyllis sometimes as a teenager and as an adult was in their lives across the rest of their lives. She describes the early decor of the home and her initial impressions of how small it was. She also describes some early parties in the home. Kenrda also describes how the house was adapted to Del and Phyllis’ needs as they aged. In addition, she notes the archival quality of their home, where they collected photos, news clippings, books related to women’s accomplishments, lesbian and gay issues, their own publishing, and records of their lives and activism, stored in the basement and throughout the house. Kendra also discusses how Phyllis’ caregiving was funded through community-based small loans against the assumed resale value of the property after she passed. She describes holidays at their home. Her vision for the house is to move it to some kind of LGBTQ “pioneer village” where it would be a tourist attraction with other well-known LGBTQ people’s homes. Located at 651 Duncan Street in San Francisco, the Lyon-Martin House is the former home of lesbian activists Phyllis Lyon (1924-2020) and Del Martin (1921-2008). In 2021, the City of San Francisco designated the Lyon-Martin House a City Landmark in recognition of its association, through Lyon and Martin, with the lesbian rights, homophile, and marriage equality movements.