Founded in New York in 1992 by six experienced political activists aiming to provide mentorship to novice lesbian activists, the Lesbian Avengers were, according to their handbook, “ a direct action group using grassroots activism to fight for lesbian survival and visibility” (Schulman et al. 5). Their purpose as an organization was “to promote lesbian issues and perspectives while empowering lesbians to become experienced organizers who can participate in political rebellion” (Schulman et al. 5).
In June 1992, founders Maxine Wolfe, Sarah Schulman, Ana Simo, Anne D’Adesky, Marie Honan, and Anne Maguire attended Gay Pride in New York City and handed out 8,000 green club cards that said “Lesbians! Dykes! Gay Women! We want revenge and we want it now,” and included Maxine Wolfe’s home phone number. The Avengers’ first meeting included 50 people, and expanded exponentially with every act in which they engaged. By 1996, more than 20 chapters of the Lesbian Avengers had sprung up across the country, totalling to nearly 20,000 members (Schulman).