Las Hermanas

Las Hermanas, founded in 1974, was a coffee shop that also operated as a non-profit that provided space for women to gather for various support groups, activism groups, or just to grab a cup of coffee together. This cafe created a safe space for lesbians to assemble for music, cultural events, movies, or just in general. This entry will discuss the specific groups able

One of the early centers for gay and lesbian political action was a coffee house and cultural center called Las Hermanas. Founded in 1974, Las Hermanas hosted a wealth of events from game and music nights, to law seminars, to health seminars, and other events that promoted mental, physical, and social well-being. The coffee house was originally a women-only institution using membership to get their non-profit status to house women in need of escape from abusive spouses. Due to several issues with the location, like maintenance and rent doubling, Las Hermanas was forced to close. Among the final issues that Las Hermanas faced was the debate of whether or not men could be a part of the space. The working class Latina founders did not want men to be allowed into the space, especially since Las Hermanas was originally a place for women refugees fleeing abusive households. Middle class women who were active members of the organization were open to allowing men within the space to provide another source of funding.

Some of the most notable women who participated in this organization were Dolores Valenzeula, Carlota Hernandez, Teresa Oyos, and Karen Merry. Teresa Oyos was an active member of the Chicana and LGBTQ+ communities. She was a founder of ORGULLO, the first LGBT Latin organization, a member of MECHA, and was also involved with La Verdad, a Chicano Newspaper. She served on many boards and planning committees, such as the AIDS Walk San Diego, conferences focused on AIDS, HIV, and women. Karen Merry owned Paradigm Women's Bookstore and Alternative Music. She helped edit Thursday's Child, a lesbian newspaper, and was guardian to her nephew. She started her store in her own home until zoning laws forced her to open a proper location, where she expanded her inventory to gain more business.