THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT

Bonnie Tinker

May 26, 1948 – July 2, 2009

“When the law changes and we can get married, our children will be declared legitimate. Marriage is about love and integrity. It’s about our families taking our place in society with full respect.”

Political activist who championed the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people and headed the Portland, Oregon organization Love Makes a Family devoted to same-sex families. The founding director of Portland’s Bradley Angle House, the first West Coast shelter helping battered women escape from violence. Named the first chair of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.