Ivy Bottini an artist, mother and a legendary activist, devoting over 50 years to the feminist & LGBTQ struggle for civil & human rights died on February 25th, 2021 surrounded by close friends and family. She was 94 years old.
Originally from Malverne, New York Bottini was a resident of West Hollywood for over 22 years and a Los Angeles Local for over 40 years.
In 1952, after marrying Eddie Bottini and having two daughters, Bottini began questioning her sexuality.
It wasn’t until 1968 that Bottini experienced a major life change when she accepted the fact that she was a lesbian. She inadvertently came out on TV shortly after that. During a New York City NOW press conference, she was answering a question.
“I said, ‘As a lesbian, I think . . .,’” she recalled. “I didn’t even realize I’d said it at first. But the rest of the room did.”
Once out of the closet she made lesbianism a feminist issue and dedicated her life to woman and LGBTQ rights.
In 1983 Bottini founded AIDS Network LA, the first AIDS organization, which focused on collecting and sharing information about the epidemic. In 1984 she was one of the founders of AIDS Project LA (now APLA Health).
Because of her work throughout her career Bottini trail blazed paths for women and LGBTQ people for generations.
An exact cause of death is not known at this time. She had been receiving hospice care at her daughters home in Florida for the past several weeks. Bottini is survived by her daughters Lisa and Laura, and a grandson.
