Day 26 of the 28 Days of Black Liberation 2023
Ruth Ellis was once the oldest openly Black gay woman in the world dying at 101.
Ellis moved to Detroit in 1937 during the Great Depression to take advantage of the job opportunities in the city as well as to escape the violent racist acts that were occurring in her hometown of springfield. At the time, Ellis and their partner, Ceciline “Babe” Franklin, moved to Detroit where Black LGBTIA folks had very little support and even less places to just be themselves. During this time there were very few gay bars and all of the gay bars at that time did not allow for Black gay people, so Ellis and her partner created their own space. They welcomed everyone in their home to just be themselves and offer a safe placed. It was THE hot spot for Black gays. Ellis even payed for folks to go to college, rent etc. Ellis was also known for advocating for LGBTIA youth and providing them with love and basic needs.
Unfortunately Ellis and Babe lost their homes due to a highway being built ending their beautiful 39 year relationship due to Ellis now having to go to a senior home and her partner moving to Southfield.