Click here for a bibliography of works of or about the eighteen notable LGBT Ohioans.
Top Left Natalie Clifford Barney (1876-1972)
Born in Dayton
American expatriate, hosted prominent twentieth-century writers and
intellectuals at her Paris literary salon for six decades, including members of
the French Academy and American and British Modernists
Poet whose themes focused on love between women, feminism, and pacifism
Served as the inspiration for many novels, including The Well of Loneliness
Founded a “Women’s Academy” for writers barred from the all-male French
Academy
Top Center Jermaine Stewart (1957 – 1997)
Born in Columbus
Pop Singer, background vocalist, dancer, and choreographer
Appeared on American Bandstand and Soul Train
Sang backup for the Chi-Lites, Shalamar, the Temptations, and Culture Club
Released four albums as a solo artist
Billboard hits include “The Word is Out” and “Jody”
His 1986 hit, “We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off,” referred to
the AIDS scare.
Top Right Andrea Zimbardi (1980 – )
Born in Akron
As a walk-on, became the best fielding catcher in University of Florida
softball history
SEC Honor Roll student, senior co-captain, kicked off UF softball team in
2003 allegedly because of sexual orientation
In 2004 settlement, UF agrees to provide diversity training on
sexual orientation for coaches, athletic directors, and staff
In “unrelated action” UF added “sexual orientation” to its
anti-discrimination policy, among the last of 62 members of
the Association of American Universities to do so
Zimbardi addresses audiences on equity in intercollegiate athletics.
Bottom Left Paul Lynde (1926-1982)
Born in Mount Vernon
Comedic actor
Known for Broadway turns in New Faces of 1952, in which he performed
the now-classic “Trip of the Month” sketch, and Bye Bye Birdie,, in which he
introduced the generation-gap anthem “Kids!”
Kown for frequent guest star appearances on variety shows and sitcoms of the
1960s, including the recurring role as Samantha’s practical joking
Uncle Arthur on Bewitched.
Known for Emmy-winning quips as celebrity panelist in
the center square on the original version of Hollywood Squares.
Also known for headlining appearances in Ohio for the Kenley Players, the
legendary summer stock company
Bottom Center Judith Butler (1956 – )
Grew up in Cleveland
Maxine Elliot Professor at University of California, Berkeley
Philosopher—feminist theory, sexuality studies, social and political thought
Ground-breaking work, Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion
of Identity
Yale Bradner Prize, 2004
Elected to American Philosophical Society, 2007
Bottom Right Samuel Steward (1909 – 1993)
Born in Woodsfield; received his Ph.D. from and taught at
the Ohio State University
University professor, writer, tattoo artist, pornographic author
Served as editor of the World Book Encyclopedia
Writing as Phil Andros, he published porn about rough trade, leather men,
and S&M.
Helped Professor Alfred Kinsey find contacts for his research on
human sexuality
Was close friends of Gertrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas, and Thornton Wilder
In 1954, he left academe to pursue a life as a writer and tattoo artist.
