Ruth Ellis Bio-pic To Be Screened At Center

DETROIT - Kofi Adoma, a close friend of Ruth Ellis in her later years, grew to appreciate just how extraordinary Ellis' life had been as an out, black lesbian in Detroit. Long before there were community centers, youth support groups or PFLAG chapters, Ellis, who died in 2000 at the age of 101, had opened her home to young LGBT people, welcoming them into her extended family of friends and loved ones.
When Adoma became one of the co-founding board members of the Ruth Ellis Center, she turned to her longtime heroine for permission to name it in her honor. "When I asked Mother Ruth if we could name the center after her, she was gracious and willing to do so because she understood the pain and the need to provide safe space, as she did when she and her partner donated their few meager dollars to young people's education back in the 40's and 50's in their home in Detroit. She cared. I care. You care," said Adoma.
An award-winning bio-pic chronicling Ellis' life, Pride: Ruth Ellis @ 100, will be screened Dec. 14 at 1 p.m., followed by a panel discussion led by Adoma. The event will be at the Ruth Ellis Center, 77 Victor in Highland Park in the Second Stories drop-in center on the second floor. There will be secured parking in the lot and on the street. There is no charge, but donations to REC will be accepted in any amount. For more info go to http://www.ruthelliscenter.org or call 313-252-1950