Jane Rule is the author of many books but most known in the lesbian community for Desert of the Heart (1964) which was later made into the film by Donna Deitch, "Desert Hearts" 1986. She was a great fighter for Lesbian & Gay rights. Jane Rule's speech here on youtube is nothing short of inspiring.
Jane Rule 1931-2007
Click on the link below to view:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xacjr8KbnI&feature=related