The Spirit of Houston 1977

The 1977 National Women’s Conference adopted resolutions furthering reproductive freedom and equality for gay women, marking the culmination of the radical feminist movement. Held in Houston, Texas, 2,005 state delegates recommended to Congress and the President how to advance women’s rights. Delegates adopted a 26-plank national plan, addressing issues such as career interests, rights for minority women, and the Equal Rights Amendment.

The planks for sexual freedom elicited conflicting emotions as a rising conservative faction took particular issue with abortion and “lesbianism.” While these conservative women were the minority at the conference, their profamily movement gained political power throughout the 1980s.