Introduction

LGBTQ+ people have been part of the fabric of central Ohio for centuries. Although this exhibit is not a comprehensive history of LGBTQ+ life in Columbus, it explores how people in central Ohio lived in “queer” ways – transgressing the norms of gender and sexuality of their time. Although this exhibit attempts to go further back in history, much is focused on the 20th century, when queer people began identifying and organizing around LGBTQ+ identities. The exhibit depicts some of the organizations, places, and events they created. It is part of the Illuminate Project, which is supported by the Legacy Fund of The Columbus Foundation, and seeks to preserve materials relating to LGBTQ+ people of central Ohio and help them tell their own stories through a community collection, an annual fellowship, and more. To participate, contact history@columbuslibrary.org or visit us online.