LGBTQ at Ohio State

Central Ohio Groups & Resources

A variety of businesses and organizations in and around Columbus are owned and operated by members of the LGBTQ community. If you know of a Central Ohio organization providing support for the LGBTQ+ community that is not listed below, please email us, so we can update our list!

LGBTQIA-Owned Local Businesses

Experience Columbus maintains a directory of LGBTQIA-owned businesses in Columbus. Businesses include restaurants, bars, bakeries, retail, home services, personal care, pet care, and more! 

Local LGBTQ Organizations & Groups

Ace and Aro Alliance of Central Ohio

Founded in July 2020, the Ace and Aro Alliance of Central Ohio is the state of Ohio’s first organization to focus specifically on the asexual and aromantic community. This organization serves the asexual and aromantic community by providing services, sharing resources, fostering programming, and advocating for ace and aro equity throughout the Central Ohio region.

AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION (AHF)

AHF Healthcare Center - Columbus provides HIV testing and comprehensive healthcare to persons living with HIV/AIDS through their Columbus healthcare center and pharmacy.

BQIC (Black Queer and Intersectional Columbus)

BQIC (Black Queer and Intersectional Columbus) is a coalition of Black queer and trans people working to build a society in which Black LGBTQ+ people from all backgrounds can thrive. BQIC seeks to dismantle racist, transphobic and homophobic forces through community organizing and education. BQIC offers monthly programming such as Black Power Book Club, BQIC SPEAK UP! Spoken Word and Open Mic, and Free Resource Fridays. The organization also offers an emergency fund for Black LGBTQIA+ people living in Columbus, Ohio.

BRAVO (Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization)

BRAVO, a founding member of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), links survivors of hate crimes, discrimination, domestic violence and sexual assault with advocacy and assistance. The organization documents hate crimes and acts of domestic violence in Ohio and is a proud member agency of Community Shares of Mid-Ohio (CoSMO), a collaboration of community-based organizations serving Central Ohio and beyond.

Columbus Community Pride

Columbus Community Pride arose from the need to move queer and trans people of color from the margins to the center. Community Pride hosts a series of fun, free events throughout the summer and Fall, culminating in the Columbus Community Pride festival. The year's Community Pride will be on Saturday, September 23, at Mayme Moore Park.

Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus

The Columbus Gay Men's Chorus has been a part of the local performing arts scene since 1990. Its repertoire ranges from traditional standards and show tunes to popular favorites and classic choral music. Each year, they present a holiday concert at King Avenue United Methodist Church and spring and summer shows at the Capitol Theatre in the Riffe Center downtown. They also perform at AIDS Walk and Pride Festival. The Chorus partners with other organizations including Opera Columbus and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra.

Columbus Public Health: LGBTQ Health Initiatives

Columbus Public Health’s LGBTQ Health Initiative connects community partners through the Greater Columbus LGBTQ Health Coalition, offers LGBTQ training to healthcare professionals and other providers, and addresses health disparities with programs geared toward LGBTQ communities.

Columbus Queer Open Mic

Columbus Queer Open Mic hosts a monthly open mic night at Kafe Kerouac that is dedicated to highlighting and uplifting LGBTQIA+ performers in Central Ohio. Follow Columbus Queer Open Mic on Instagram for event dates.

Columbus Women’s Chorus

The Columbus Women’s Chorus (CWC) is a feminist chorus that celebrates life through the power of music. The group performs music created and inspired by the lives and experiences of women from all walks of life. The mission of the Columbus Women’s Chorus is to foster excellence and innovation in the performance and presentation of women’s music and, through their community of voices, to entertain and educate their audiences, enrich and enlighten minds and spirits, encourage societal change and open hearts to diversity.

Equality Ohio

Equality Ohio advocates and educates to achieve fair treatment and equal opportunity for all Ohioans, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression. The group envisions an Ohio where everyone feels at home and where equality, diversity and inclusiveness are universally valued.

Equitas Health Institute for LGBTQ Health Equality

The Equitas Health Institute for LGBTQ Health Equity is the education, research and community engagement arm of Equitas Health, focusing on reducing health disparities in the LGBTQ community.

GLSEN Columbus

GLSEN Columbus is the local chapter of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network). Nationally, GLSEN works to ensure safe schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. The work that chapters do covers a variety of subjects and issues, from public policy to teacher training and student support.

HRC Columbus

HRC Columbus is the local steering committee of the Human Rights Campaign. As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans, the Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than one million members and supporters nationwide – all committed to making HRC’s vision a reality.

Kaleidoscope Youth Center

Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC) promotes and supports self-confident, healthy, productive lives for LGBTQ youth as they transition from adolescence into adulthood. The organization offers many programs and services, including QPOC Group, a discussion and peer group for queer and trans youth (ages 12 - 20) of color, Genderscope, a discussion and activity group for trans and nonbinary youth (ages 12 - 20), and The Gender Affirmation Project, which provides free binders and gaffs to young people up to age 24. KYC also offers KYC Connections, a program that provides coordinated, case management services and resources to support transition aged young people (ages 16-24) in obtaining and maintaining self-sufficiency and thriving.

Mozaic

Mozaic supports the success and overall well-being of transgender, gender expansive, and nonbinary communities in Ohio through community building, education, and resource navigation. Mozaic serves transgender, gender expansive, and nonbinary young people of color ages 13-29 by offering programs and services by and for QTPOC.

Outlook Media

Outlook: Columbus is a monthly-produced publication with content that contains both locally and nationally focused features with a mix of columns, editorials, arts & entertainment, sports, celebrity interviews and community.

PFLAG Columbus

PFLAG Columbus promotes the health and well-being of LGBTQ individuals, their families and their friends through support, education and advocacy with the goal of ending discrimination and securing equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) provides an opportunity for dialogue on sexual orientation and gender identity and creates a society that is healthy and respectful to human diversity.

Rainbow Clinic

The Rainbow Clinic is a student-run specialty clinic through the Columbus Free Clinic that occurs every two months! Services include gynecology, urology, STI and HIV testing, and primary care, all free of charge with no insurance required. We also have a free in-house pharmacy and lab.

Scarlet and Gay LGBTQ Alumni Society

Scarlet and Gay promote the interests of LGBTQ alumni and students of The Ohio State University. They sponsor a scholarship program, host social events for students and alumni, and collaborate with community organizations regularly to promote awareness and education. They provide travel grants, scholarships and other funding to support Ohio State students.

Stonewall Columbus

Stonewall Columbus serves the Central Ohio LGBT community by providing a community center and offering programming and services that enhance the well-being and visibility of our diverse community through discovery, affirmation and celebration. Programs include identity-based groups and wellness groups. They also manage Lavender Listings - a directory of LGBTQ-affirming professionals and businesses in Central Ohio.

T Talks

T Talks, short for Trans Talks, is a monthly storytelling event for and by the transgender community. Founded and lead by Felicia DeRosa in partnership with Wild Goose Creative, T Talks seeks to provide an inclusive and intersectional space for sharing and learning. Monthly topics have included sexuality, body image, family, gratitude and more. By sharing stories with the rest of the queer community and allies, the program hopes to dismantle the ignorance and stigma surrounding what it means to be trans. Check out the Wild Goose Creative calendar to find out when the next T Talks is! In addition to monthly gatherings at Wild Goose Creative, T Talks also collaborates with Ohio State's Center for Belonging and Social Change to host events in November and March.

The Buckeye Flame

The Buckeye Flame is a statewide LGBTQ+ news and views platform for Ohio. Their site offers a go-to source for original stories relevant to LGBTQ Ohioans and their weekly newsletter, The Spark, will keep you up-to-date on local LGBTQ news and events. You can also follow The Buckeye Flame on all major social media platforms.

TransOhio

TransOhio serves the Ohio transgender and ally communities by providing services, education, support and advocacy which promotes and improves the health, safety and life experiences of the Ohio transgender individual and community. TransOhio offers several support groups for a variety of identities and needs, such as a Trans* Support Group and Partners' Discussion Group. Additional events include the annual Trans & Ally Symposium and a Trans Job Fair & Wellness Day.

TransOhio offers a Micro-Grant for Name Change/Gender Marker Change. Learn more and apply at transohio.org/legalinfo.

TransOhio is also launching several new support resources - an Emergency Fund, a hotline, and a Discord server. 

  • TransOhio's Emergency Fund provides financial assistance for families facing crises such as a lack of access to gender-affirming care, relocation costs, and other essential resources. To learn more, request assistance, or donate to the fund, visit transohio.org/emergency-resources.

  • The Trans Care Connect Warm Line is a free and confidential peer support phone and messaging service for the Ohio trans community. Trained volunteers are available to provide a listening ear, emotional support, and information on resources. Call or text 866-708-6446.

  • The TransOhio Discord is a statewide Discord server intended to connect Ohio trans folks to their community, resources, legislation info, and more! Join at tinyurl.com/TransOhioDiscord.