Barbara May Cameron facts for kids

Barbara May Cameron (born May 22, 1954 – died February 12, 2002) was a talented photographer, poet, and writer. She was also a well-known activist who worked hard for human rights. She championed the rights of Native Americans, women, and LGBTQ+ people across the United States.

Barbara's Early Life and Education

Barbara May Cameron was born on May 22, 1954. She was a member of the Hunkpapa Lakota people, part of the Standing Rock Nation. Her birthplace was Fort Yates, North Dakota. Barbara grew up on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation with her grandparents. She finished her early schooling and high school there. Later, she studied photography and film at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1973, Barbara moved to San Francisco to attend the San Francisco Art Institute.

Barbara's Career and Activism

As a photographer and filmmaker, Barbara Cameron won awards for her work. She was working on a movie script called "Long Time, No See," but it was not finished before she passed away.

Founding Gay American Indians (GAI)

In 1975, Barbara Cameron helped start the Gay American Indians (GAI) group with Randy Burns. This was the first organization for gay Native Americans. Barbara explained that Native American LGBTQ+ people had different needs and challenges than the wider LGBTQ+ community. Also, there was not much support for people of color within the LGBTQ+ community at that time.

Writing and Publications

Barbara shared her ideas through writing.

• In 1978, she wrote for a book called Our right to love: a lesbian resource book.
• In 1981, she contributed to This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color. This book was edited by Cherríe Moraga and Gloria E. Anzaldúa.
• Her article, Gee, You Don't Seem Like an Indian from the Reservation, discussed issues like unfair treatment and prejudice both inside and outside the Native American community.
• In 1983, she contributed to A Gathering of Spirit: A Collection of Writing and Art by North American Indian Women. This important book, put together by Beth Brant, included works by twelve Native American LGBTQ+ women.
• Her essay, No Apologies: A Lakota Lesbian Perspective, was included in a later book, New Our Right to Love: A Lesbian Resource Book (1996).

Community Leadership and Public Service

Barbara was very active in her community and in politics.

• From 1980 to 1985, she helped organize the Lesbian Gay Freedom Day Parade and Celebration.
• In the late 1980s, she was the vice president of the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club. She also co-chaired the Lesbian Agenda for Action.
• In 1986, Barbara and other women, who called themselves Somos Hermanas (We are sisters), traveled to Nicaragua. They went to learn about and support women there, working to help improve their lives.
• In 1988, she was a delegate for Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition at the Democratic National Convention.
• That same year, Dianne Feinstein, who was the mayor of San Francisco, appointed Barbara to two committees: the Citizens Committee on Community Development and the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.
• The next mayor, Frank Jordan, appointed her to serve on the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Helping Victims and Health Advocacy

Barbara worked to help people who faced unfair treatment.

• From 1989 to 1992, she was the executive director of Community United Against Violence (CUAV). This group helped people who were victims of violence and hate crimes.
• In 1992, she received the Harvey Milk Award for Community Service.
• The next year, she was the first person to receive the Bay Area Career Women Community Service Award.
• In 1993, she took part in the International Indigenous AIDS Network. This was part of the International Conference on AIDS held in Berlin.
• She spent 1993 educating people about AIDS, traveling to different Indian reservations across the United States.
• She served on the Board of Directors for both the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the American Indian AIDS Institute.
• She also worked as a consultant for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
• Barbara founded the Institute on Native American Health and Wellness. Her first project was publishing the works of Native American women writers.

Barbara Cameron’s important papers are kept at the James Hormel LGBTQIA center at the San Francisco Public Library.

Barbara's Personal Life

Barbara was in a 21-year relationship with Linda Boyd. Together, they raised a son named Rhys Boyd-Farrell. A photographer named Robert Giard created a portrait of Barbara. This portrait is now part of the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Barbara's Legacy

Barbara Cameron passed away from natural causes on February 12, 2002, at the age of 47. Many people attended her memorial service, including Tom Ammiano, who was president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and Carole Migden, who represented her district in the California State Assembly. Barbara Cameron is remembered for her strong support of Native American LGBTQ+ people.