Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly described the paid position at the Ohio Lesbian Archives as full time. This has been corrected.
The Ohio Lesbian Archives, headquartered in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, is ramping up with a new funding milestone that will expand programming.
Avery Plummer, a longtime volunteer and former vice president of OLA’s board, announced in a post on LinkedIn Wednesday that she’s been hired as the OLA’s director of development and community engagement.
“This will be the organization’s first ever paid position in its 36-year history, a milestone that marks an exciting shift for OLA’s function as a history resource for Cincinnati and Midwestern LGBTQ+ communities,” Plummer announced in her post.
Since 1989, the OLA has been collecting ephemera to preserve LGBTQ+ history, including books, posters, T-shirts, letters, journals, newspapers, records, photographs and countless other materials. Its first physical headquarters was located above the famed Crazy Ladies Bookstore in Northside.
Since the move to its OTR location in October 2023, OLA has been able to display nearly the entirety of its collection and host events like book clubs and craft nights.
Plummer said OLA has received a grant that will “support building long-term sustainability for OLA,” including expanding the organization’s fundraising capacity.
“OLA is preparing to expand programming, deepen outreach, and make our resources more accessible than ever,” her post reads. “But we can’t do it without you. This end-of-year giving season, we’re inviting you to join the Founder’s Club, a growing circle of supporters who believe in the power of preserving LGBTQ+ history.”
The organization is hoping to raise $5,000 by Dec. 31 through Founder’s Club memberships, which give donors a quarterly newsletter spotlighting OLA’s work and impact.
“Every contribution—large or small—moves us closer to that future,” Plummer said. “Join us in protecting our stories, honoring our elders, and ensuring LGBTQ+ history is never erased.”
Read more about OLA in this 2024 CityBeat article from Katie Griffith.