John Nosek
Leon Stevens
LGBTQ+ Legacy
PRONOUNS: HE/HIM
About the Winners
Back in the 1970s, when being “out of the closet” could cost you your job or worse, John Nosek and Leon Stevens were organizing events and helping start what would become the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. They also ran High Gear, Ohio’s first gay newspaper, which helped fund things like hotlines and support groups. They believed Cleveland’s LGBTQ+ community deserved a safe and welcoming space, and are still showing up today.
Featured Media About the Winners
VIDEO: Pride in the CLE - Interview Special (YouTube)
INTERVIEW: John Nosek and Leon Stevens Interview, Aug 15 2023 (Cleveland Voices)
ARTICLE: HIGH GEAR (CWRU Encyclopedia of Cleveland History)
ARTICLE: GEAR (Gay Education Awareness and Resources Foundation) (CWRU Encyclopedia of Cleveland History)
ARTICLE: Gay Community 1970s (CWRU Encyclopedia of Cleveland History)
Messages of Congratulations and Celebration
"Since the inception of the LGBT Community Center these men have nurtured and supported a thriving and healthy Center and, in turn, the Queer community. They are positive role models for budding advocates and activism.
The Center is one of the first LGBT Centers to open in the county. Due to tireless organizing and perseverance, John and Leon had a great deal to do with that."
-- Tom Stebel, nominator
"These two people played monumental roles at the beginning of Cleveland’s out LGBT community post-Stonewall. Starting in 1975, John and Leon became editors of High Gear, a monthly publication focusing on educating the LGBTQ community.
They also sat on the board of GEAR (Gay Education and Awareness Resources), a foundation created to steer toward the goal of opening a Gay Community Center. That foundation eventually folded into what we now know as the Center."
-- Tom Stebel, nominator
"Congratulations, and thank you for a lifetime of leadership."
-- Dr. Doug Van Auken & John Corlett
"In 1976, I believe we met when you were publishing High Gear. I offered to help sending invoices for advertisements. In the fall of 1977 I went to Grad School, then moved to Toledo for 10 years and eventually NYC. I have lots of stories from the 28 years I spent in NYC! I returned to Cleveland in 2015 for family reasons. Congratulations on your award!"
-- Daniel McGuire
Want to Leave a Message?
Submit a congratulatory message by making a donation to the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland!
About the Award
The LGBTQ+ Legacy Award honors an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the Northeast Ohio LGBTQ+ community for over 10 years. This honoree’s commitment to the well-being of our community covers a wide range of public service, making it easy for them to have been nominated for multiple Heritage Day categories. They have worked in many different areas of advocacy and inclusion and have held leadership positions where they helped make significant strides to support and advance the quality of life for all in their community.
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