Back in the 1970s and early '80s, there existed a brave movement of womyn determined to live with as little contact with men as possible. ---

In the mid-'80s, I remember as an out, loud and proud gay teen -- with romantic visions of joining the happy ranks of gay and lesbian activists working arm-in-arm for the cause of liberation -- occasionally being rebuffed by one or another remnant of this radical separatist movement. It always confused me. 

This piece in the New Yorker about a group known as the "Van Dykes" cleared things up for me considerably. It's important to know the history of one's own movement.

Brandon's Big Gay Blog