Lesbian – Activist
Born: November 7, 1933 – Havana, Cuba
Died: March 31, 2023 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Overview:
Ada Bello was a pioneering Cuban-American lesbian activist whose work was vital to the early LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. After emigrating from Cuba in the 1950s, she became a prominent figure in Philadelphia’s gay rights scene, co-founding key organizations and tirelessly advocating for the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ people for over six decades.

Activism & Impact:

• After settling in Philadelphia, Bello joined the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) in 1962, one of the first lesbian civil and political rights organizations in the U.S.
• She helped found the Philadelphia chapter of DOB, creating safe spaces for lesbians and advocating for social acceptance at a time when queer identity was criminalized and pathologized.
• Bello was instrumental in organizing the Annual Reminder pickets at Independence Hall starting in 1965, pre-Stonewall protests demanding LGBTQ+ rights.
• She later helped found the Homophile Action League (HAL) in 1968, continuing the push for equality through a more openly activist stance following the Stonewall Uprising.
• In her later years, Bello remained active in Philadelphia LGBTQ+ circles, mentoring younger activists and advocating for historical preservation of the community’s contributions.

Notable Achievements:

• Inducted into the Philadelphia LGBT Hall of Fame.
• Recognized by various LGBTQ+ history initiatives and honored posthumously for her decades of activism.
• Her efforts helped lay the groundwork for later queer rights victories and sustained community infrastructure in Philadelphia.

Legacy:
Ada Bello’s life exemplifies the resilience and determination of early queer activists. She bridged the pre-Stonewall and post-Stonewall eras, leaving behind a legacy of courage, compassion, and commitment to justice. Her role in creating enduring queer institutions and movements continues to inspire generations of LGBTQ+ organizers and historians.