PROFILE: Ruth Ellis–A Proud To Be Lesbian

-

By Victor Olubiye



Ruth Ellis, born in 1899, lived openly as a lesbian at a time when doing so was almost unthinkable. She came out at just 16 years old and persevered through significant social barriers to become a high school graduate—an achievement in itself for a young Black woman in the early 20th century. Determined to make her own way, she went on to establish a successful printing business, breaking both racial and gender expectations of the time.


In the 1920s, Ruth met Ceciline “Babe” Franklin, who would become her partner for the next 30 years. Together, they built a life rooted in love and community in Detroit. Their home was more than a residence—it was a haven for African-American LGBTQ+ individuals at a time when safe spaces were few and far between. The couple’s warmth and generosity made their home a cornerstone of support and acceptance.


Ruth Ellis lived to be 100 years old, passing away in 2000 as the oldest known openly lesbian woman. Her century-long life stands as a powerful testament to courage, authenticity, and resilience. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of LGBTQ+ individuals, especially within the Black community, reminding us of the strength that comes from living truthfully and giving back to others.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

They Went to School Seeking a Future. Some Never Came Home

-
Image
A day after NANS observed Black Tuesday, the conversation around student safety remains far from over They left home to pursue an education. For some families, the journey ended in tragedy. By Victor Olubiye For most Nigerian parents, the day a child gains admission into a tertiary institution is a moment of pride. It is seen as the beginning of a journey toward a better future. But for some families, that journey has ended in tragedy. That painful reality was at the heart of the National Association of Nigerian Students' (NANS) declaration of July 28, 2026, as Black Tuesday—a day set aside to remember students whose lives were cut short by violence, insecurity, criminal attacks and incidents of jungle justice across the country. In a statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of NANS, Comrade Obidah David, the student body said the initiative was intended not only to honour fallen students but also to draw attention to what many now describe as a growing threat to s...
Read more

EXCLUSIVE: For Two Hours, a Mother Became Her Daughter's Child — What Happened Next Left Her in Tears

-
Image
  Symbolic depiction of a mother and her daughter during a role-reversal exercise that inspired reflections on parenting, discipline, and empathy. Photo Illustration/The Creativity Site . By Victor Olubiye When a Nigerian mother returned home from work one evening, she expected nothing more than a few quiet hours with her three-year-old daughter. Instead, she found herself being ordered around the house, told to recite multiplication tables, reminded of past punishments, and forced to see her parenting through a perspective she had never seriously considered before. "It was supposed to be a game," she told The Creativity Site. By the end of it, she was crying. The mother, who asked not to be identified, had suggested a simple role-reversal exercise. For two hours, her daughter would play the parent while she played the child. The arrangement sounded harmless enough. But children pay closer attention than many adults realize. As soon as the game started, the little girl slippe...
Read more

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: After Decades in Osun, Lagos and Ogun, a 72-Year-Old Woman Speaks on Flooding and Waste Management

-
Image
                            Watch the full interview video on The Creativity Site Facebook Page By Victor Olubiye Flooding, poor waste disposal, and environmental sanitation remain major concerns in many Nigerian communities, particularly during the rainy season. While governments continue to invest in drainage infrastructure and waste management programmes, questions remain about whether enough is being done—and whether citizens themselves are playing their part. To gain a grassroots perspective, The Creativity Site spoke with Mrs. Adeola Odudele, a 72-year-old woman who has lived in Osun, Lagos, and Ogun states over the course of her life. Drawing from decades of personal experience, she shared her observations on flooding, waste management, environmental cleanliness, and what she believes governments and citizens must do to protect their communities. Click on the graphic to follow us T he Interview Victor Olubiye :...
Read more

The Real Opposition to Tinubu Is Not Atiku or Obi—It's Something Bigger

-
Image
  Three faces. Three ambitions. One nation searching for answers. As Nigeria edges toward 2027, the biggest battle may not be between politicians—but between promises and reality. By Victor Olubiye Every election season in Nigeria follows a familiar script. Politicians change parties. Alliances are announced with fanfare and quietly abandoned months later. Social media turns into a battlefield of supporters, critics, and professional propagandists. The opposition attacks the government; the government fires back. As conversations about 2027 grow louder, much of the public discussion has centred on the same names: Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and a growing cast of politicians exploring new alliances. Yet beneath the noise lies a different reality. The greatest challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election may not come from any rival politician. It may come from the mood of the country itself. That mood cannot be negotiated with in Abuja. It cannot be persuade...
Read more

PROFILE: GBENGA ADEBOYE

-
Image
 By Victor Olubiye Unarguably, Gbenga Adeboye still remains the most known and widely accepted radio broadcaster in Yoruba lands, even in death. The legend was born into a Christian family on 30th September 1959, at Ode Omu, Gbongan, Osun State, Nigeria. In some of his narratives that serve as his authobiography he narrated how he had knowledge of both Islamic and Traditional religions. And this is evident in his records. Describing himself, he said that he was a man who chose to combine the three religions, i.e Islam, Christianity and Traditional together so that he would be accord special recognition in Heaven. No need for explanation as he was a man who quoted Al-Qur'an, Bible, and Oracle verses with precision, exactness, and correctness. His birth by a church general overseer regardless, it was believed that these quotations earned him the 3-1 nickname Alhaji, Pastor, Oluwo. Late Adeboye first worked as a freelance radio presenter for Radio Lagos where he used to anchor a very ...
Read more

From Conference to Calling: CPC Charges Women to Build Homes, Lead Change Nationwide

-
Image
Participants' Jubilation By Victor Olubiye The 26 Annual National Sisters Conference of Calvary Pentecostal Church International (CPC) ended with a strong charge to women across Nigeria: move from inspiration to action and become builders of homes, faith, and society. Held from Thursday, May 30, the multi-day gathering brought together women from across the country for an intensive programme of teachings, workshops, lectures, and prayer sessions focused on spiritual growth and practical impact. Featured Image From The Event At the centre of the conversations was a clear message being “The Chosen Woman” goes beyond attending a conference; it demands obedience and application. National Sisters President, Mrs Alaka, set the tone by commending the leadership of Rev. Dr. Johnson Niyi Faboyede and Pastor Sarah Faboyede for their guidance and commitment to raising purposeful women. She described the chosen woman as one who not only receives but applies, urging participants to become trans...
Read more

EXCLUSIVE FEATURE (CONCLUDING INSTALLMENT): When the Bridge Shakes — Anxiety Deepens Over Future of HND Holders Amid Conversion Programme Uncertainty

-
Image
  AI-generated illustration depicting the perceived imbalance in recognition between HND and BSc qualifications in Nigeria’s education and employment system By Victor Olubiye The future of thousands of Higher National Diploma (HND) holders in Nigeria is once again at the centre of national debate, following renewed concerns over the reported suspension of HND-to-Bachelor of Science conversion programmes in some universities across the country. What is emerging is not just an administrative question about academic pathways, but a deeper national conversation on fairness, qualification recognition, and the long-standing tension between polytechnic and university education in Nigeria. This concluding installment brings together earlier reports published by The Creativity Site, beginning with the initial feature anchored on concerns raised by Asiyanbi Blessing, an HND graduate of Mass Communication from Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, who first raised questions about what becomes of poly...
Read more

NYSC Delay Crisis Rocks OSPOLY: Graduates Accuse Officials of Negligence as Futures Hang in the Balance

-
Image
NYSC logo (left) and Osun State Polytechnic, Iree logo (right). Graphic collage illustrating the ongoing NYSC mobilization concerns affecting some graduates By Victor Olubiye For many graduates of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, the joy of completing higher education has turned into months—and in some cases, nearly two years—of frustration, uncertainty, and emotional trauma over delayed mobilization for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). What should have been the next chapter in their lives has instead become a painful waiting game, as affected graduates continue to battle unresolved issues surrounding the institution’s NYSC Senate list uploads. The controversy, which has sparked growing outrage among alumni, has raised serious questions about administrative efficiency and accountability within the institution. While some officials have reportedly shown concern, others have been accused of silence, negligence, and a lack of compassion toward struggling graduates. One of the advocac...
Read more

FEATURE: Student Life In Osun State Polytechnic,Iree

-
Image
By Victor Olubiye If you’ve ever lived the real student life in Nigeria, then you already know — it’s not beans. And if you’ve passed through Osun State Polytechnic, Iree (popularly called Ospoly), then you’ve seen it all: the lectures, the hustle, the all-night reading, and the fun that makes it all worth it. Tucked in the rocky town of Iree, Ospoly may look like just another higher institution from afar. But ask the students, and you’ll hear stories that go beyond the classroom. Stories of survival, discovery, and growth. Let’s start with the tough part — because Ospoly student life is not for the faint-hearted. First off, accommodation wahala. Most students live off-campus in nearby areas like Small London,Igaa 2, and Ladoja. While these places are lively and close to school, the amenities can be frustrating. Think of power outages right in the middle of night reading, or heavy rains turning your path to class into a muddy obstacle course. Then comes the financial struggle. With...
Read more

SPECIAL REPORT (DEVELOPING STORY): Lecturers, HODs, Graduates Speak on Future of HND Holders Amid Conversion Programme Concerns

-
Image
  Illustrative image depicting the perceived academic and professional imbalance between HND and B.Sc. qualifications in Nigeria By Victor Olubiye The growing controversy surrounding the reported suspension of Higher National Diploma (HND) conversion programmes in some Nigerian universities has continued to generate reactions from lecturers, Heads of Department, graduates, and education stakeholders, many of whom fear the development may further deepen the long-standing HND/B.Sc. dichotomy in the country. This follow-up report comes a day after The Creativity Site published an exclusive feature highlighting the concerns raised by Asiyanbi Blessing, a graduate of Mass Communication from Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, who questioned the future of HND holders if conversion programmes are eventually discontinued nationwide. Following the publication, several stakeholders contacted by The Creativity Site shared differing perspectives on what the development could mean for polytechnic gra...
Read more