“Those ladies were outraged” That’s how Rita Mae Brown described the reaction to The Furies Collective. Right here before you stands the former home of this groundbreaking group. This unassuming two-story brick row house on 11th Street SE in Washington DC’s Capitol Hill Historic District was much more than just a residence.
The Furies Collective was a radical lesbian feminist separatist group active from 1971 to 1973. They lived and worked together in this very house publishing their own newspaper The Furies. This wasn’t just any publication. It was a crucial voice for lesbians during the second-wave feminist movement. It helped shape the conversation around women’s identities and relationships challenging established norms.
The Furies weren’t just angry they were politically active. They viewed lesbianism as a political choice not just a sexual preference. They believed that heterosexual relationships perpetuated male supremacy. This radical viewpoint caused a significant stir within the broader feminist movement. The women of the Furies were not afraid to challenge the status quo. They took their beliefs to the streets holding discussions and film screenings teaching self-defense and home repair skills to other women.
Imagine twelve women sharing a house with three children working together publishing a newspaper. Imagine the energy the discussions the conflicts the shared meals and the late-night meetings. This wasn’t just a house it was a collective living experiment a political laboratory where they attempted to live out their ideals. They also published a lesbian feminist issue of Motive a Methodist youth magazine. This unexpected collaboration expanded their reach and impact.
After The Furies Collective disbanded in 1973 the house remained connected to the DC lesbian community. It housed Lammas a women’s jewelry shop that later became a bookstore and community center. The legacy of this house and The Furies Collective continues to inspire generations of activists and feminists. This house is a testament to the strength and resilience of the lesbian feminist movement. In 2016 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 2024 it became a National Historic Landmark a truly significant recognition. So stand here and remember The Furies Collective their revolutionary ideas and their lasting impact.