The Parade - Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration 2009

Robin Tyler & Dianne Olson

Robin Tyler is a pioneer within the grassroots movement of the gay civil rights fight. She has played a seminal role in the struggle for equal right both in her current role as Executive Director of The Equality Campaign and as the first lesbian plaintiff to sue the state of California challenging the ban on same sex marriage. She has fought California’s Proposition 8 professionally by producing PSA’s and personally when she filed a brief to the state Supreme Court on November 5th challenging the constitutionality of the Proposition.

Tyler and her partner of over 15 years, Diane Olson, became heroes to many when, in February, 2004, they turned their personal fight to marry into a public case for the world to see as the first lesbian plaintiffs in California Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage lawsuit challenging the ban on Same-Sex marriage (Tyler et al v County of LA). When the San Francisco marriages were subsequently annulled, attorneys filed on behalf of the San Francisco couples on March 11, 2004 and the cases were consolidated. In May, 2008 the Supreme Court decision in Tyler et al v County of LA became historical not only for granting equal marriage rights but because, for the first time in American history, gay men and lesbians were granted total equal protection under the law.

As leaders in this fight and original plaintiffs in this case, the County of Los Angeles granted Robin & Diane permission to be the only couple to receive a license in Los Angeles County on Monday, June 16, 2008 the evening before licenses were available to the public at large. They were married that day surrounded by loved ones, friends and the media in front of the Beverly Hills Courthouse where they had previously been denied their license.

To further cement Robin and Diane’s seminal role in the fight for equal rights, on June 27, 2008, the City of Los Angeles awarded Robin and Diane a special community service award for being original plaintiffs in this monumental case, and called them the Rosa Parks of the lesbian and gay movement. In addition, the City Council unanimously voted for June 16, their wedding day, to be forever known as “Marriage Equality Day” in Los Angeles.

Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage, passed in California on November 4, 2008. The following day, Robin and Diane filed a brief asking for the Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8, arguing it is not legal in the State of California. Since November 5th, 2008, Robin and Diane have resumed their grassroots organizing to fight for their civil rights including protesting with tens of thousands of their gay, lesbian and straight community members who were enraged by the passing of Proposition 8. Their lawsuit has become the face of the new civil rights movement of this century; the starting point of what now has become the Second Stonewall. (Robin Tyler et al v State of California)

This lawsuit is not the first time Tyler has stood up to pave the way for equal rights. In the 1970’s, Robin was the first openly queer comic on stage, on national television, on records and in concerts and clubs. In 2002.

Robin was featured in Paul Cain’s book “Leading the Parade,” which included conversations with America’s most influential lesbian and gay citizens.

Additionally, the Canadian- born, Tyler is the first North American speaker to address major rallies in England, Canada, France, Mexico and Russia. Her message is to end violence and discrimination against the LGBT community.

Tyler has written numerous articles for the LGBT press, co-authored a chapter in the newly released 3-volume book set “Defending Same Sex Marriage,” and pens an opinion column on the Huffington Post (www.huffingtonpost.com/robin-tyler). In 2007, she revived “Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Groom”- her one-woman, award-winning comedy show about growing up a Jewish lesbian, and wanting to go get married. This show is set to be filmed in 2009. Additionally, Tyler has produced 25 major outdoor Women’s Music & Comedy Festivals, the Women’s Philharmonic at the Kennedy Center and the first International Queer Comedy Festival, which was held in Sydney, Australia in 1994.

Tyler is the national chairperson and co-creator of The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) LGBT committee. She is on the advisory boards of Marriage Equality USA and Jews for Marriage Equality. She is one of the leading activists, speakers and special event producers of the LGBT, AIDS & women’s movements- most notably as the main stage producer of the 1979, 1987, and 1993 Marches on Washington for LGBT rights. Tyler was also the co-founder and national rally coordinator for StopDrLaura.com. She wrote and co-produced a series of PSA’s called “Stop the Hate, No on 8” to fight Proposition
8. http://www.youtube.com/user/TheEqualityCampaign

When not participating in their activism or parenting their two pugs, Mushu Pork and Won Ton, Robin and Diane travel all over the world escorting women with their 5-star tour and cruise company, Robin Tyler International Tours for Women.