Landykes
An exploration of the women’s land movement from the 1960s to today
The 1960s and 1970s were a time of upheaval and change in the United States, and this era gave rise to the “back to the land” movement. At its peak, there were an estimated 150 intentional communities or communes throughout the country. Many of these communities were centered on lesbian and bisexual women, providing both community and a safe space.
An Overview of the Women’s Land Movement
Following the Stonewall riots, during the 1970s and 1980s, the LGBTQ+ community gained increased visibility, and gay liberation movements swept the nation. “The Great Gay Migration” began in which LGBTQ+ folks flocked to big cities in search of more safety and community. That’s not to say queer folks weren’t in cities before, but the greater visibility likely helped cause more people to flock to perceived ‘gay meccas.’
Interestingly, there was a subset of lesbian and bisexual women who chose to leave the cities, creating collective communities in rural areas. As the New York Times reported, “They erected outhouses, laid pipelines and set up chicken coops. In the process, many found romance. Membership grew by word of mouth, and eventually a directory of womyn’s lands was compiled and passed between communities, creating a social network of potential friends and partners.”
