On Saturday Nashville, Tennessee unveiled the states first LGBT historical marker honoring local LGBT activist Penny Campbell.

The marker was placed in front of her former home.

Represented by Nashville attorney Rubenfeld, Penny Campbell was the lead plaintiff in the successful Constitutional challenge in Tennessee that ultimately decriminalized gay sex  in 1996. 

“Penny was one of those people who were willing to say to Nashville that she was a lesbian and she was willing to be named and identified as such, and she was proud of it. That’s what changed minds and brought us to where we are today,” said Dr. Pippa Holloway, Professor of History at Middle Tennessee State University.

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry spoke at the event. “[Penny] was one of the most influential and effective LGBT activists that Nashville has ever seen,” she told the attendees gathered for the ceremony. “She said, ‘it shouldn’t matter who you love and you shouldn’t have to hide that love,’ and she took that all the way to the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Penny Campbell passed away in 2014.

Her marker is placed on the 1600 block of McEwen Avenue .