Library
Read the originals
68 primary sources: newspaper coverage, proclamations, letters, court records, community histories, audio and video. Many originals are held by the Ohio Lesbian Archives and can be seen by appointment.
68 items
Report & historyUndatedTimeline of Lesbian Herstory
Ohio Lesbian Archives — Phebe Beiser
A timeline of lesbian history compiled by Phebe Beiser of the Ohio Lesbian Archives, beginning in 1876.
Report & historyc. 2011A Brief History of Cincinnati's First Pride
Unattributed; on file with the Ohio Lesbian Archives and the Public Library
An unattributed history, apparently written around 2011, naming several people involved in the first Pride. Its claim that “40 men” attended conflicts with photographs and first-hand testimony showing that women and people of color took part.
NewsletterMay 1973The Independent Eye: Gay Pride Weekend
The Independent Eye, Vol. 6, No. 2
Cincinnati’s underground paper covers the first Pride: “Seventy-five people marched without incident beneath banners proclaiming themselves to be members of the Cincinnati Gay Community, Saturday, April 7.” The front page photo shows the march arriving at Fountain Square.
- NewsletterMay 1973
The Independent Eye, May 1973 (Digital Collection)
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
Every issue of the Independent Eye from 1968 to October 1975 has been digitized and is free online.
Court recordJuly 10, 1974State ex rel. Grant v. Brown
Supreme Court of Ohio, 39 Ohio St.2d 112
The Ohio Supreme Court upholds the Secretary of State’s refusal to incorporate The Greater Cincinnati Gay Society, Inc.
ProclamationJune 22, 1978Lesbian/Gay Pride Day Proclamation
City of Cincinnati, Office of the Mayor
Mayor Gerald N. Springer proclaims Saturday, June 24, 1978 as Lesbian/Gay Pride Day in Cincinnati.
News articleJune 29, 1981Coverage of Gay Pride, June 28, 1981
The Cincinnati Enquirer
News articleApril 4, 1982Homosexuals: A Cincinnati Report
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cover of the Enquirer’s special report. The full 27-page report is available through the Cincinnati Public Library.
Report & historyJune 19, 1983Harry Hay, Pride Speaker
Material on Mattachine Society founder Harry Hay’s visit to speak at Pride Day 1983.
Report & historyJune 19, 1983Dr. Rhonda Rivera, Pride Speaker
Background on OSU law professor Dr. Rhonda Rivera, a main speaker at Pride Day 1983.
PhotographJune 7, 1985Pride Rally: Kirk Prine Speaking
Dr. Kirk Prine speaks at the 1985 Pride rally. Behind him are Guy Gugenberger, Pat North, and Dr. Mike Mavroidis.
News articleSeptember 24, 1985Mayor Irked by Criticism Over Gay-Lesbian Pride Day
Coverage of the controversy over Mayor Charlie Luken and Gay-Lesbian Pride Day.
News articleSeptember 16, 1992P&G Adds Sexual Orientation to Bias Policy
The Cincinnati Enquirer, Business Section E-8
The Enquirer reports Procter & Gamble’s internal memo adding sexual orientation to its equal employment policy.
- Video1993
Stonewall Cincinnati Ad Against Issue 3
Stonewall Cincinnati; preserved by the late Steve Buescher
The ad Stonewall Cincinnati created to urge voters to reject Issue 3 on November 2, 1993.
Web pageDecember 2, 2004Community Mourns Passing of Peaches LaVerne
Out In America Newsdesk
News articleDecember 23, 2005Gay Marriage Case Caps Cincinnati's Shift From Conservative Past
The New York Times
Report & historyJune 15, 2011The GLBTQ Community in Cincinnati: Civil Rights, Public Morals, and Civic Space, 1970–2010
Ryan Goellner, Xavier University
A Xavier University senior capstone history project tracing Cincinnati’s GLBTQ community from 1970 to 2010.
News articleApril 4, 201340 Years Later: Gay Students' Struggle for Equality
The News Record, University of Cincinnati
UC’s student paper looks back at C. Powell Grant’s activism.
- News articleJuly 20, 2017
From Sideshow to Art Form: The Long History of Drag in Cincinnati
WCPO
LetterAugust 29, 2017P&G Letter Acknowledging Michael Chanak Jr.
William P. Gipson, Procter & Gamble
P&G’s Chief Diversity Officer thanks Michael Chanak Jr.: “Your courage led to P&G’s inclusion of the LGBT community into our diversity statement 25-years ago.”
- VideoApril 12, 2018
The Words Matter: One Voice Can Make a Difference
Procter & Gamble with CNN's Great Big Story
A 19-minute film about Michael Chanak Jr.’s campaign for P&G’s 1992 policy change. It won a Silver Lion at Cannes.
- VideoJune 18, 2019
Out of the Shadows: Risking Their Careers for Equality
Procter & Gamble
A 25-minute film on the years after the policy change: the founding of GABLE, domestic partner benefits, and more.
- VideoMay 25, 2020
They Will See You Now: Visibility in LGBTQ+ Advertising
Procter & Gamble
A 13-minute film on LGBTQ+ visibility in advertising, nominated for a GLAAD Media Award.
News articleJune 3, 2020The Moments That Shaped Cincinnati's LGBTQ History
Cincinnati Magazine
News articleSeptember 1, 2020Cincinnati Pride Parade Postponed Over Coronavirus Concerns
Cincinnati Business Courier
Web pageFebruary 1, 2021Cincinnati Pride Cancels 2021 In-Person Festival and Parade
Cincinnati Pride
News articleMay 25, 2022Cincinnati Votes to Make Nondiscrimination Law More Inclusive
Spectrum News
News articleJune 1, 2022Cincinnati Raises More Inclusive Pride Flag at City Hall
Spectrum News
- AudioJune 2, 2022
Cincinnati Edition: Phebe Beiser and Michael Chanak
WVXU — Lucy May, Cincinnati Edition
Phebe Beiser and Michael Chanak of the Ohio Lesbian Archives talk Pride history on WVXU’s Cincinnati Edition.
News articleJune 2, 2022Greater Cincinnati Gears Up for Pride Month
WVXU — Lucy May, Cincinnati Edition
Report & historyJune 27, 2022When the People Decide, Episode 3: Equal Rights, Not Special Rights
Penn State McCourtney Institute for Democracy — Jenna Spinelle
Transcript of a podcast episode on Cincinnati’s 1993 Issue 3, featuring Michael Chanak and Scott Knox.
- AudioJune 27, 2022
When the People Decide, Episode 3 (Podcast)
Penn State McCourtney Institute for Democracy
Web pageOctober 28, 2022Preserving History: Ohio Lesbian Archives Receives LGBTQ+ Materials from P&G
Procter & Gamble
- Web pageJune 6, 2023
Celebrate Pride Month & the 50-Year Anniversary of Cincinnati Pride
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
The library’s digital collection created for the 50th anniversary.
News articleSeptember 13, 2023New OTR Mural Celebrates 50 Years of Pride
The Cincinnati Enquirer, p. A04
Report & historyMay 18, 2024Early History of the GLBT Community Center
The formation and closure of Cincinnati’s Gay & Lesbian Community Center.
News articleJune 10, 2024Pro-Palestinian Activists Force Resignations From Cincinnati Pride
Cincy Jewfolk
News articleJune 21, 2024Controversy Mars Cincinnati Pride as 2 Jewish Leaders Resign Amid Harassment
Web pageJune 21, 2024Cincinnati Pride Statement on Resignation of Two Jewish Volunteers
Cincinnati Pride
News articleJune 22, 2024Pride Leaders Resign After Harassment
The Cincinnati Enquirer, p. A01
News articleMarch 26, 2025Cincinnati Pride Cuts Ties With Sponsors That 'Work Against Our Mission'
WCPO
News articleMarch 28, 2025With DEI Backlash, Corporate America Silent on Cincinnati Pride Support
The Cincinnati Enquirer
News articleJune 24, 2025Fewer Cincinnati Companies Are Sponsoring Pride This Year
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Includes comments from P&G retiree Michael Chanak.
News articleJune 28, 2025Cincinnati Pride Draws Massive Crowd Amid LGBTQ+ Concerns
WCPO
Organizers reported attendance of 250,000.
Flyer20262026 Grand Marshal: Cathy Allison
Cincinnati Pride
Cincinnati Pride’s announcement of Cathy Allison as a 2026 Grand Marshal.
Flyer20262026 Grand Marshal: DJ Boywife
Cincinnati Pride
Cincinnati Pride’s announcement of DJ Boywife (Shane Brouman) as a 2026 Grand Marshal.
Flyer20262026 Grand Marshal: Marco Trujillo
Cincinnati Pride
Cincinnati Pride’s announcement of Marco Trujillo as a 2026 Grand Marshal.
News articleJune 27, 2026Cincinnati's 53rd Annual Pride Festival Draws an Estimated 300,000 People
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