Susie Bright’s Journal

Susie Bright’s Journal

Share this post

Susie Bright’s Journal
Susie Bright’s Journal
Honey Lee Cottrell in Memoriam
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Honey Lee Cottrell in Memoriam

January 16, 1946 — September 21, 2015

Susie Bright's avatar
Susie Bright
Oct 01, 2015
∙ Paid
3

Share this post

Susie Bright’s Journal
Susie Bright’s Journal
Honey Lee Cottrell in Memoriam
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share

Honey Lee with Lucky the kitten, Home Hospice, Santa Cruz, 2015

When I think of Honey Lee, I always see that scene from Casablanca in my mind:

“This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

This story requires my most personal disclaimers:

I lived with Honey Lee for six years, and produced lesbian photography with her for almost every day of that period. When I had my first child in 1990, she became my daughter’s godmother. I don’t believe in God, but I have to admit I believe in Honey Lee, mythically as well as personally.

Honey Lee was my second butch girlfriend, but she was my first famous love, my first older woman lover. At the end of our first date, she dropped me off on the curb and said, “Bye — You’re a nice kid.” I was put out by that, but I was dutifully intimidated. Honey Lee had already been partners with a string of women who were like the Who’s Who of Lesbian History. I looked up to all of them, from Melinda Gebbie, the virtuoso artist of the underground comix scene…

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Susie Bright
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More