The flags at San Francisco City Hall and the Pride flag in the Castro flew at half-staff after the passing of lesbian pioneer, Del Martin on Aug. 27. Martin and her partner of over 50 years, Phyllis Lyon, may be best known for being the first and only same-sex couple married by Mayor Gavin Newsom on June 16, the day same-sex marriages began in California. But their legacy dates back to the 1950s, when along with six other women, they founded a lesbian social club called the Daughters of Bilitis, in San Francisco. The group grew to become the first national lesbian advocacy organization in the country, and published The Ladder, the first nationally distributed lesbian publication in the United States. If you are confused about how monumental and amazing these accomplishments were at the time, consider the fact The Ladder was first published in 1956, 13 years before the Stonewall Riots set off what we now know as the GLBT civil rights movement! Martin, Lyon, and their counterparts were true revolutionaries, way ahead of their time, and extremely dedicated to lesbian visibility, activism and feminism.

So why discuss Martin in this lesbian social column? The answer is simple. Without the contributions of women like Martin and Lyon, this Queer Abby column would not exist! We would instead still be meeting secretly, in no-name bars, hoping not to be discovered. And we certainly wouldn’t be getting legally married! It is my hope that reading a little bit about Martin’s life and contributions will inspire you to leave your own legacy. If you too are passionate about marriage equality, why not join the No on 8, Equality For All Campaign as a volunteer? All volunteer shifts include training, working with a buddy/ coach and food. Call the No on 8 Campaign today to volunteer, at 619-379-8585, or visit the new headquarters at 301 University Ave., across the street from Urban Mo’s every day between 11 am and 9 p.m. Del Martin would be proud you did!

Lesbian icon, Ellen DeGeneres, married her sweetie Portia DeRossi last month, and now Ellen’s mother is taking up the cause of defeating Proposition 8!

For those already mourning the end of The L Word series, fans will be pleased to know that a spin-off based on the life of Leisha Hailey’s character, Alice, is in the works and will begin shooting in December. Hailey is seeing no shortage of success these days, with her band Uh-Huh-Her successfully releasing its first album, Common Reaction, and now the announcement of one very lesbian spin-off. As long as Jenny Schecter is not included in the show, I can commit to at least watching the pilot.

The performance schedule for Street Scene 2008 has been released, and lesbian rockers Tegan and Sara will perform on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 7:35-8:25 p.m. on the Fulana Stage. Cat Power is on the Zarabanda Stage on Friday at 8:45 p.m., and one my favorite new bands, Does It Offend You, Yeah? hits the Casbah Stage on Saturday at 9:40 p.m. I suggest meeting your friends at the Casbah Stage, because pronouncing names like Zarabanda, Fulana and Fulano is going to be difficult once you’ve had a few beers.

The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) at The San Diego LGBT Center is in the beginning stages of re-activating the Women’s Advisory Committee, and is looking to assemble a diverse and dynamic group of LBT women interested in providing input and feedback on WRC events and activities. If you are passionate about the women’s community, you should apply! For more information, contact Abby Schwartz at 619-692-2077, ext. 212 or e-mail aschwartz@thecentersd.org

Sunday, Sept. 21 is the first installment of La Jolla Playhouse’s Out & About Series. Eat, drink and socialize at an exclusive brunch, followed by a matinee performance of Memphis: The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Tickets are $69.

If you loved The Vagina Monologues, Eve Ensler’s The Good Body is at San Diego Repertory Theatre, through Sept. 28. Traveling through and beyond Botox, treadmills, closet surgeries and fat farms, Ensler exposes the naked truths from women who share their deepest secrets, obsessions and hard-won peace and celebration of themselves – a Puerto Rican street gal who is an expert on “the spread,” a black teenager playing hooky from a fat farm, a too-eager-to-please wealthy Jewish housewife, an African mystic, underground Afghani entrepreneurs in Kabul, and many more. This show is not to be missed! For tickets, call the box office at 619-544-1000.

Looking for a dance party? It’s time to dust off your hot pink pumps! On Friday, Oct. 3, from 6-9 p.m. at The Center, the WRC presents Totally Red Hot ’80s, a women’s nightclub. DJ Laura Jane will be in the house, spinning your favorite hits from the ’80s, with door prizes, dessert and more for only $5 per person! Guests are encouraged to wear ’80s inspired attire (think neon, leggings, or anything Madonna-inspired), because there will be a “totally awesome” costume contest! Too shy to dress up? A prize will also be given to the person who brings the most outrageous (read: embarrassing) photograph from the ’80s. For more information, contact Abby Schwartz at 619- 692-2077, ext. 212, or at aschwartz@thecentersd.org.

The Center is also re-introducing its popular series, Coffee & Conversation with Cool Women, on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. at The Center. Coffee & Conversation is an intimate, “talk show” of sorts, where hostess Tryce Czycyznska interviews notable women from the San Diego community. October’s “cool women” are Wendy Ochoa and Talonya Geary, creators of FlawLes magazine and Web site. Please join Wendy, Talonya and Tryce for coffee, dessert, and a dynamic conversation about our community’s newest lesbian publication.

Thursday nights are still hot at Rich’s (1051 University Ave.) in Hillcrest. “Touch” goes off every Thursday, with DJ Kiki spinning hip-hop and techno, and the bartenders serving up $3 Miller Lites all night long.

Friday night Ladies Happy Hour at Bourbon Street is the place to be, with Lauren DeRose playing live on the patio every Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Show up and shout out your favorite requests – she just might play them! But please, I think we’ve all heard enough Indigo Girls songs to last us a lifetime.

“G-Spot” is the new ladies’ night at Numbers (3811 Park Blvd.), replacing “Bad Kitties.” Dance to the pulsating hip-hop and house music, and enjoy performances from the Lipstik Inc. girls. Doors open at 8 p.m., so swing on over after you’ve watched LDR at Bourbon Street!

If you are looking for the ladies on Sunday afternoon, The Brass Rail is the place to be. Doors open at noon so girls can get their game on: beer pong, flip-cup, ping-pong, Guitar Hero … you name it, The Brass Rail has got it! With 50-cent beer specials, it’s the perfect afternoon destination!

That’s it for this month, ladies! See you next month for another installment of Queer Abby!