Black Lesbians United (BLU), a social and advocacy group, is honoring the life of the oldest known out lesbian Ruth Ellis (July 23, 1899 - October 5, 2000), who would have turned 113 this year. Scroll down on their Facebook page to see a picture of this lovely lady.
Ellis was born in 1899 (yes, 1899), but she continues to live in the hearts of many LGBT adults and homeless youth. She came out in 1915 and met her lover Ceciline "Babe" Franklin in the 1920s. Franklin was the only person Ellis every lived with until Franklin's death in 1973.
After the couple moved to Detroit, Ellis became the first woman to own a printing business in the city. Her and Franklin's home became known around the community as the "gay spot."
Ellis died in her sleep on October 5, 2000. She was 101. BLU posted a profile of Ellis on their page. I encourage anyone also fascinated by the history of a woman who came out and built a community that expands beyond her 100 years, to give it a read.
Today, Ellis' memory lives on in the services that The Ruth Ellis Center provides for LGBT homeless youth in the Detroit area. The Ruth Ellis Center is one of only three dedicated LGBT homeless youth centers in America.
Ellis was born in 1899 (yes, 1899), but she continues to live in the hearts of many LGBT adults and homeless youth. She came out in 1915 and met her lover Ceciline "Babe" Franklin in the 1920s. Franklin was the only person Ellis every lived with until Franklin's death in 1973.
After the couple moved to Detroit, Ellis became the first woman to own a printing business in the city. Her and Franklin's home became known around the community as the "gay spot."
Ellis died in her sleep on October 5, 2000. She was 101. BLU posted a profile of Ellis on their page. I encourage anyone also fascinated by the history of a woman who came out and built a community that expands beyond her 100 years, to give it a read.
Today, Ellis' memory lives on in the services that The Ruth Ellis Center provides for LGBT homeless youth in the Detroit area. The Ruth Ellis Center is one of only three dedicated LGBT homeless youth centers in America.
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