The Human Rights Campaign of Greater Cincinnati has named activist/social worker Ron Clemons and the Ohio Lesbian Archives as the recipients of its 2025 Visibility Award and the David Crowley Leadership Award, respectively.
Both Clemons will receive recognition during HRC’s annual dinner on Feb. 22 at the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati.
Ron Clemons
Clemons is a dedicated activist, social worker and volunteer, fighting for LGBTQ+ equality for over 50 years. An out, Black queer person, he’s served as an assistant director at Tender Mercies, clinical director at Caracole and executive director at the Madisonville Education and Assistance Center. Clemons has also taught social work and substance abuse courses at the University of Cincinnati and has been a key leader in organizations like the Cincinnati Men’s Chorus and Scorpius of Cincinnati.
His work as producer and owner of Tri-State Leather/Pup/Rubber since 2010 further demonstrates his commitment to creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals.
In all his professional and volunteer efforts, Clemons has broken barriers as the first openly gay Black person to hold many of these roles, according to HRC. The organization noted that his dedication and visibility have “empowered others, transformed lives, and made lasting contributions to the queer BIPOC community in Cincinnati and beyond.”
“Ron Clemons has spent a lifetime breaking barriers and building safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community,” said Karen Harmon, dinner co-chair and a member of the HRC board of governors. “We are thrilled to honor his contributions with this year’s Visibility Award at our annual dinner.”
Ohio Lesbian Archives
The Ohio Lesbian Archives is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to preserving and safeguarding Cincinnati’s LGBTQ+ history for over 40 years. Founded in the mid-1980s, OLA has collected materials documenting the lives, activism, and contributions of the Greater Cincinnati LGBTQ+ community.
Originally housed above Crazy Ladies Bookstore in Northside, OLA now resides on Race Street by Washington Park, where its collection is open by appointment for students, researchers and anyone who’s interested. Led by founder Phebe “Karen” Beiser and a dedicated team of volunteers and board members, OLA is one of only a handful of lesbian archives in the United States.
As part of its announcement, HRC described OLA as continuing to thrive as it preserves and shares decades of LGBTQ+ history, ensuring these stories inspire future generations.
“The Ohio Lesbian Archives is an invaluable resource for preserving and sharing our collective history,” said Eric Anderson, dinner co-chair. “Their work ensures that Cincinnati’s LGBTQ+ legacy continues to inspire future generations.”
HRC Cincinnati
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. The Greater Cincinnati chapter works to advance the equality and visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in the region through advocacy, education and celebration.
One way it does so is through its annual dinner, which honors champions for the local LGBTQ+ community. This year’s celebration, themed “Amplify our Future,” will highlight the city’s LGBTQ+ history, “focusing on persistence, joy and activism as we move forward together,” according to the organization.
Tickets for the event are on sale now at tickets.hrc.org and sponsorship opportunities are available.
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