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Daring to Exist: Ruth Ellis, Black LGBTQ+ Advocate & Pioneer

  • Writer: Shereá Denise
    Shereá Denise
  • Jun 27
  • 3 min read

I first learned about Ruth Ellis in 2024 through an Instagram post spotlighting Black LGBTQIA2S+ trailblazers too often left out of the history books. While many might assume it was her identity as a Black lesbian woman that initially caught my attention, it was actually her role as the owner and operator of a printing business that truly sparked my curiosity. The idea of a Black woman running her own press in the 1930s and 1940s—amidst intense racial and gender-based oppression—felt both radical and deeply inspiring. My thoughts immediately turned to Ida B. Wells and the dangers she faced for daring to speak, write, and print the truth. I could only imagine how much more complex and courageous it must have been for someone like Ruth Ellis to navigate that world while also living openly as a lesbian.


This blog post is a collection of what I have learned about Ruth Ellis, offered in the hope that others will continue to tell her story and recognize all that we are able to become simply because she dared to exist.


Ruth Charlotte Ellis was a trailblazing Black lesbian activist, entrepreneur, and beloved community figure whose century-long life left an indelible mark on Detroit and the national LGBTQ+ movement. Born on July 23, 1899, in Springfield, Illinois, she was the daughter of former slaves and grew up in a time of intense racial and gender discrimination. Yet, in a profound testament to her family’s progressive values, Ruth came out as a lesbian at just 16 years old and was fully accepted and embraced by her family—a rarity in any era.


In 1937, seeking better economic opportunities, Ruth and her longtime partner, Ceciline “Babe” Franklin, moved to Detroit, Michigan. There, Ruth made history by becoming the first woman in Michigan to own and operate her own printing business, the Ellis & Franklin Printing Co. She ran the business from the front room of their home, offering services such as printing fliers, posters, and stationery. But the space quickly grew into more than just a print shop—it became a vital social hub for Black LGBTQ+ people who were often excluded from other public spaces. Ruth’s home was a sanctuary where people could gather, be themselves, and find community, safety, and celebration.


More than just a business owner and host, Ruth actively supported those in need. She helped young people secure housing, paid for college tuition, and offered mentorship, food, and encouragement to anyone who crossed her threshold. Her generosity and activism extended far beyond her neighborhood. After the Stonewall uprising in 1969, Ruth—then in her 70s—began traveling the country to speak out for gay and lesbian rights, often becoming the only older Black lesbian in those activist spaces.


Ruth remained active well into her centenarian years. In 1999, at age 100, she led the San Francisco Dyke March, dancing and waving to the crowds in celebration. Her life story was immortalized in the award-winning documentary Living With Pride: Ruth C. Ellis @ 100, which chronicles her joyful spirit, remarkable resilience, and lifelong activism. At the time of her death on October 5, 2000, she was recognized as the oldest known out lesbian in the United States.


Her legacy lives on through the Ruth Ellis Center in Detroit, founded in 1999. The center provides housing, health care, and supportive services to LGBTQ+ youth, particularly those who are homeless or at risk. It stands as a testament to Ruth’s lifelong mission: to create a world where everyone, regardless of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation, is safe, seen, and celebrated.


Ruth Ellis’s life exemplified pride, resistance, and radical love—and her legacy continues to inspire generations.




Sources (History & Pictures)

 
 

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