Dajenya is a multi-ethnic, bisexual, pacifist, activist, mother, vegetarian, social worker, poet/writer, and psychotherapist.  Born in 1953, she  has been active since her youth in various movements including the civil rights movement, the anti-war movement, and the movement for LGBTIQ rights.  She was a Co-founder of Richmond Rainbow Pride and its first Board Secretary from 2015-2018.

Originally from New York City, Dajenya has lived in Northern California since 1973, and currently lives in the San Francisco East  Bay with her beloved wife, Lois Heaney. 

Dajenya’s poetry has been published in the following publications:

Women’s Peace Journal

Anything That Moves

Sinister Wisdom

Rites of Passage

Women’s Recovery Network

CurrentMagazine

and various newsletters as well as the following five anthologies:

“Bi Any Other Name: Bisexual People Speak Out” 

c 1991 Alyson Publications, Inc.

“Sister/Stranger: Lesbians Loving Across the Lines”

c 1993 Sidewalk Revolution Press

“Bisexual Politics: Theories, Queries & Visions”  

c 1995 The Haworth Press

“What I Want From You: Voices of EastBay Lesbian Poets.”  

c 2006 RAW ArT Press

“Smash the Church, Smash the State! : The Early Years of Gay Liberation”

c 2009 City Lights Books     


Dajenya is looking forward to the pending publication of her first book of her poetry, which covers much of her best poems written in the 20th century.  There are seven more chap book manuscripts to eventually follow with poetry from the 21st century.   

Dajenya welcomes requests for publication of her unpublished poetry or invitations to do readings or broadcasts in or around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Please address any inquiries to dajenya@yahoo.com   Thank you.