Photograph by Sivan Ellman

Dykes, Dolls, and Delight: My Summer with Lilith

Sivan Ellman
September 14, 2023

This summer, I had the pleasure of interning for Lilith. Two of my favorite projects were photographing the NYC Dyke March and the Lilith Doll Salon on film. I am so honored to have been able to capture both of these events for such a phenomenal and instrumental magazine. Having the opportunity to capture both of these events gave me a great appreciation for the feminist leaders, and activists that came before me — those who paved the way and fought for rights I currently benefit from (or at least used to… RIP Roe v. Wade). It also gave me hope for the next generation — one filled with hope, grit and determination to make this world a better place for all. 

Mary Magdalene (@qweenamor on Instagram) in bondage wear dancing with protesters, spreading queer joy during this summer’s NYC Dyke March.
Two people celebrating their queerness adorned in fabulous outfits at NYC’s Dyke March!
A pair of badass Barbies from this summer’s Lilith Doll Salon rocking out to some tunes and showing us that feminity and womanhood have no bounds. 
 Intergenerational schmoozing after our fabulous Lilith Doll Salon surrounded by snacks and doll memorabilia at the home of Yona Zeldis McDonough, Lilith’s fiction editor.
I could be so wrong here… but I believe that these people are cis men dressed up as fancy, elderly women — who might stereotypically shout anti-gay, Christian hate speech at lesbian marchers — but instead are holding up and singing feminist, “God is a Dyke” signs in solidarity with lesbians marching at the NYC’s Dyke March. 
 Mary Magdalene (@qweenamor on Instagram) mid-ass shake, with a fellow marcher behind celebrating and cheering them on at the NYC Dyke March.

Independent, jewish & frankly feminist

Since 1976, Lilith magazine charts Jewish women’s lives with exuberance, rigor, affection, subversion and style.