Books for the LGBTQ History in Your Life

Throughout the decades, Columbus has been a central gathering place for Ohioan LGBTQ individuals, creating a timeline of milestones—both big and small—all showcased within the Buckeye State capital. From the hidden joy of the underground Berwick Ball of the 1960s to the unrestrained opulence of the Red Party in the 1970s to the sense of community displayed at the first Columbus Pride in the 1980s, the city has played host to celebrations, struggles, and history. Through the bar raids at the turn of the millennium to the Black Pride 4 in 2017, the LGBTQ Columbus community has steadfastly marched forward, using their voices to proclaim their undeniable presence, their demands for equality, and their passion for this city they call home.

Cincinnati's LGBTQ history is a study in riveting contradictions. Seen as one of the more conservative cities in Ohio, Cincinnati is also the home of the first Pride march in the entire state. A strong move to censor the LGBTQ-related art of Robert Mapplethorpe at the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center resulted in a nationally publicized trial where freedom of expression emerged victorious in the face of those who zealously sought to suppress the LGBTQ community's voice. The passage of Issue 3 in 1993 epitomized the tenet that minority rights should never be up for majority vote, while the repeal of Article XII eleven years later displayed the sheer power of mobilization. Through protests, celebrations, and demonstrations of unadulterated pride, Cincinnati has proven itself over and over again as a community of individuals trying to make the Queen City live up to its royal--and decidedly LGBTQ--name.

Cleveland's LGBTQ history exhibits the classic components of a Hollywood blockbuster. At the heart of the story are unforgettable characters--heroes, big and small--united by their vision of a city where everyone stands tall together. Clevelanders bravely went to battle in their quest for equal rights, fighting racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. Unyielding in times of desperation, the community bound together to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic and comfort those left in its wake. A nefarious billboard-maker, an adversarial state senator, and unidentified arsonists played villainous parts promoting a repressive antigay agenda. Epic crowd scenes showcase scores of determined individuals gathered for candlelight vigils, Dancing in the Streets, and the Gay Games, illustrating Cleveland's swelling pride and appeal before a local, national, and international audience.