Jewish lesbian writer whose father and maternal grand-parents emigrated from Eastern Europe to the USA where Bulkin grew up in the Bronx, living in New York City for most of her life. She has intermittently earned her living as a teacher of English and of Women's Studies, and worked for five years at the Women's Center of Brooklin College.

Together with Jan Clausen and Rhima Shore she has edited Conditions, a journal of women's writing and in particular lesbian writing. Bulkin has also contributed to lesbian journals.