QTPOC at Ohio State

The experiences of those living at the intersection of being LGBTQ+ and a person of color presents its own unique challenges. Queer and trans people of color (QTPOC) have been critically important to the visibility and survival of LGBTQ+ communities around the globe; QTPOC have been at the front line throughout the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. We are dedicated to supporting the QTPOC community at The Ohio State University with a variety of programs and community resources.

The following resources are available for queer and trans students, faculty, and staff of color at The Ohio State University.

QTPOC Mental Health with Counseling and Consultation Services

Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) seeks to provide a safe, welcoming and affirming environment for those within the university community and beyond. CCS feels a special obligation as a mental health agency to affirm multiple identities, to respond to oppression in all forms and to educate students about the innovative, culturally sensitive, services we have designed to nurture their physical, intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional and creative wellness.

• CCS has made a commitment to focus on Black mental health and on success for of male students of African descent.

• Mental health resources for Asian and Asian American students.

• Mental Health Community Provider Database – search for private mental health care providers in the communities surrounding The Ohio State University campuses. Searches can be filtered by gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and more.

Affinity Groups

Affinity Group timing and availability varies by semester. Check out the list of groups currently offered at CCS.

Affinity Groups for POC

• BIPOC Grad Group: a supportive space for graduate students who hold minoritized racial identities to gather together to offer each other support, perspective, and occasionally challenge in an effort to help each other navigate life’s stressors.

• Buckeye Brothers – Undergraduate and Graduate: a group for men to come together and discuss their problems in a casual and genuine way.

• Graduate International Student Group: This group provides a space for international graduate students to form community and build support as students navigate their unique experiences on campus.

• Latinx HEART Graduate: a group for graduate students and open to all Latinx-identified students, regardless of identities, nationality or racial/ethnic background and/or immigration status.

• Understanding Self and Others BIPOC: an undergraduate student group specifically for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color who seek a safe space to explore their own identities and shared experiences as it relates to their own culturally diverse backgrounds as well as gain a better understanding of how to relate to others in new and healthy ways.

• You Good Man? – Undergraduate: a support/process group for Black people (inclusive of the African diaspora) who are male identified to discuss topics and issues of masculinity and how assumptions and expectations impact Black lived experiences.

Affinity Groups for LGBTQ People

• Queer Grad Group: focuses on the social and emotional needs of graduate and professional students of any gender expression, identity, or cultural background who identify as queer and/or LGBTQ+.

• Queer Undergraduate Group: a group that focuses on supporting positive mental health and social connectedness among undergraduate students who identify as queer.

• True Selves: a group for undergraduate and graduate students who are exploring their gender identity or who identify as transgender or gender diverse.

Involvement Opportunities

• The Center for Belonging and Social Change offers programming focused on a variety of identities.

• SHADES: a student organization for queer and trans students of color at Ohio State.

• Queer Latinx Community Pride Association, a student organization that centers the intersection of Latinidad and queerness.

• With over 1,400 students organizations on campus, there's something for everybody! Find a Student Organization.

Find additional student and alumni involvement opportunities here.

Offices of Support

• Office of Diversity and Inclusion, including the Hale Black Cultural Center

• Office of University Compliance and Integrity: Title IX

Local Resources

• Mozaic is a community program focused on health and wellness, HIV prevention, and community building initiative for trans and gender non-conforming people of color ages 13-29. The organization offers programs and services by and for QTPOC.

• Kaleidoscope Youth Center promotes and supports self-confident, healthy, productive lives for LGBTQ youth as they transition from adolescence into adulthood. The organization offer many programs and services, including a discussion and peer group for queer and trans youth of color, ages 12 - 20.

• 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 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.

• For additional resources, BQIC has a list of trusted local resources for a variety of services.

Coming Out Resources:

The Human Rights Campaign offers many guides on coming out, including guides specifically targeted toward LGBTQ POC:

• Coming Out: Living Authentically as LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islander Americans

• Religion and Coming Out Issues for Asian Pacific Americans

• Coming Out: Living Authentically as Black LGBTQ People

• Religion and Coming Out Issues for African Americans

• Coming Out: Living Authentically as LGBTQ Latinx Americans

• Religion and Coming Out Issues for Latinx People

Support Hotlines

BlackLine: provides a space for peer support, counseling, witnessing and affirming the lived experiences of folks who are most impacted by systematic oppression with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens.

• Call 1-800-604-5841 

Desi LGBTQ+ Helpline for ​South Asians Mental Health Care (DeQH): free, confidential, culturally sensitive peer support, information and resources for LGBTQ+ South Asian individuals, families and friends around the globe.

• Fill out their online contact form

• Call 908-367-3374

Check out more hotlines on our Mental Health page.

Mental Health Networks and Directories

There are numerous mental health care provider directories and resources focused on QTPOC providers and patients:

• The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network offers a QTPOC Mental Health Practitioner Directory, community resources, and a Mental Health Fund that provides financial support for up to 6 sessions with a psychotherapist.

• Therapy for Queer People of Color offers a therapist directory, free therapist matching consultations, and additional resources.

• The LGBTQ Psychotherapists of Color site can help you find an LGBTQ Person of Color Psychotherapist.

• InnoPsych provides a therapist directory for finding therapists of color.

• Deconstructing the Mental Health System offers a BIPOC Provider Directory for mental health and cultural wellness professionals who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and QTPOC/LGBTQIA+ Affirming Providers. You can also apply for their Free Therapy program.

• Inclusive Therapy connects you to therapists that are affirming of POC and LGBTQ clients. Search their Therapist Directory or let Inclusive Therapy match you with a therapist. The organization also funds a BIPOC Therapy Fund for those who need financial support in accessing mental health care and a Black Mental Health Fund for Black activists. 

• Therapy for Black Girls offers a Therapist Directory.

• Therapy For Black Men has a Therapist Directory and offers Financial Assistance for Therapy Sessions.

• The Asian Mental Health Collective offers an Asian American Therapist Directory, Lotus Therapy Fund that provides financial support for therapy sessions with an Asian therapist, and a Resource/Org Directory for organizations and hotlines that support in the Asian community.

• Therapy for Latinx offers a Latinx Therapist Directory

• For even more resources, check out this QTBIPOC Addiction & Mental Health Support guide from Live Another Day.

Find more LGBTQ+ mental health resources here.