The pioneering LGBTQIA advocate passed away at the age of 81
BY ELLA GAUCI
Ella Matthes, the pioneering force behind Lesbian News Magazine, has sadly passed away due to a heart attack on 16 March at The Little Company of Mary Hospital in Norwalk, California. She was 81 years old.
As an advocate for lesbian visibility and empowerment, she helmed Lesbian News Magazine with unwavering dedication from 1975 until 2022, leaving an incredible mark and legacy on the LGBTQIA community. Under her stewardship, Lesbian News evolved from a solitary voice into North America’s preeminent platform for lesbian issues and culture. Throughout its history, the magazine championed inclusivity, amplifying the voices of lesbians of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life.
With Ella at the helm, Lesbian News Magazine graced its covers with icons and trailblazers, from Melissa Etheridge to k.d. lang, shining a spotlight on the diverse tapestry of lesbian experiences. Through its pages, Ella provided a platform for discourse, celebration, and advocacy, fostering a sense of community and belonging for countless readers.
Ella’s profound contributions to the LGBTQIA community garnered widespread acclaim, earning her a multitude of awards and accolades. Her tireless advocacy was recognized with honours such as the Women’s Night Gay & Lesbian Center’s Lesbian & Bisexual Women Active In Community Empowerment Award and the Vox Femina Los Angeles Aria Award, among others. Her legacy of service and empowerment continues to inspire generations of activists and allies.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Ella was a woman of many passions and talents. A graduate of Dorcey High School, she cultivated her love for printing at a young age, eventually acquiring Superior Printers and establishing herself as a respected figure in the industry. Yet, it was her profound sense of purpose and commitment to social justice that led her to purchase Lesbian News Magazine in 1975, setting her on a path of profound impact and influence.
At the heart of Ella’s vision for Lesbian News Magazine was a dedication to inclusivity and representation. In her own words, the magazine aimed to “inform, entertain, and be of service to women who love women of all ages, economic class, and colour,” serving as a beacon of visibility and solidarity within the LGBTQIA liberation movement.
Ella is survived by her brother Carl Matthes and her devoted wife, Gladi Adams, with whom she shared 26 years of unwavering love and partnership. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ella’s memory may be made to the June Mazer Archives in West Hollywood, CA, perpetuating her legacy of advocacy and empowerment for generations to come.
Rest in power, Ella Matthes.
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