Ohio historical marker would honor lesbian author

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio city has been asked to approve a historical marker that would be the first in the state noting the sexual orientation of a person being honored.

The state marker proposed for Cooper Park in Dayton would pay tribute to Natalie Barney, an author born in the city in 1876 and known for her works with lesbian and feminist themes. She died in 1972.

A spokesman for a gay community center in Dayton says Barney’s sexual orientation was part of her life’s work.

The center joined with other groups to raise the $2,300 cost of the marker, under the Ohio Historical Society’s Gay Ohio History Initiative.

The Dayton City Commission is scheduled to vote Aug. 26 on whether to allow the marker. Two of the commissioners already have spoken out in favor.