A guide to LGBTQ organizations, resources for Pride Month and beyond in Greater Columbus
With June's summer days come lively and colorful festivals, concerts and fundraisers in honor of Pride Month. It marks a time to support LGBTQ history and people.
In a big metropolitan area like Columbus that's only continuing to grow, it can be difficult to track down reliable resources or safe businesses for members of the LGBTQ community.
While there are go-to organizations such as Stonewall Columbus, known for its annual Pride march and festival, central Ohio is filled with other nonprofits, organizations and businesses that offer support for LGBTQ people.
Things to do: Five popular LGBTQ bars and clubs in Columbus everyone can enjoy
From fitness and dining to financial aid and health care, here's a guide to LGBTQ life in Columbus.
Pride Month events: Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and March highlight LGBTQ Pride events in Columbus
Advocacy and support
Ace and Aro Alliance of Central Ohio, acearoalliance.org
The first of its kind in Ohio, the Ace and Aro Alliance of Central Ohio offers educational materials and links to conferences and programs for more information about asexual and aromantic identities. The organization is the first in the state to focus solely on asexual and aromantic identities, and hosts events to support and advocate for ace and aro people
Black Queer and Intersectional Coalition, bqic.net 614-746-2377, blackqueercolumbus@gmail.com
The Black Queer and Intersectional Coalition works to achieve access to socially and economically equitable opportunities, healthy food and free and affirming healthcare. The grassroots organization hosts events such as Free Resource Fridays the last Friday of every month where residents of predominantly Black, low-income communities can get food, clothing and hygiene products at no cost.
Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO), 4400 N High St., Suite 207, 614-294-7867, bravo.equitashealth.org
BRAVO is the part of Equitas Health that works with survivors of violence in the LGBTQ community. It supports LGBTQ survivors of hate crimes, bias, discrimination, sexual assault and other forms of violence through individual and community-based programming.
Equality Ohio, 370 S 5th St Ste G3, 614-224-0400, equalityohio.org
This nonprofit advocates for the fair and equal treatment of all Ohioans regardless of their sexual and gender identities.
Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Columbus, glsen.org/chapter/central-ohio
GLSEN advocates for the safety of all students in K-12 schools regardless of race, sexuality or gender identity.
Kaleidoscope Youth Center, 603 East Town St., 614-294-5437, kycohio.org
Staff at the Kaleidoscope Youth Center work with kids and adolescents to provide free programs, housing and support for LGBTQ youth. The website features a calendar of events from drop-in hours and gender-based discussions sessions to art clubs and Dungeons and Dragons campaigns.
PFlag Columbus, 4739 Riverwood Drive, Hilliard, columbuspflag.com
A local chapter of PFlag National, the nonprofit advocates for an understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ identities. PFlag Columbus offers a variety of annual educational programs, and meets on the third Sunday of every month over Zoom.
Health and mental health
AIDS Healthcare Foundation Pharmacy, aidshealth.org.
The Aids Healthcare Foundation Pharmacy has four Columbus locations and partners with the Columbus Healthcare Center and Pharmacy to provide HIV testing and primary health care services to those living with HIV/AIDS.
Equitas Health, equitashealth.com
Equitas Health offers a variety of health services at its six Columbus locations aimed at helping the LGBTQ community, including HIV prevention and treatment, legal services and an LGBTQ medical provider guide.
Equitas Health's also hosts Mozaic, an initiative for transgender and gender non-conforming people of color. It promotes health, wellness, HIV prevention and community engagement for LGBTQ youth ages 13 through 29. The organization works with Nationwide Children's Hospital, along with local organizations and activists. Visit Mozaic in person at 2228 Summit St., or online at equitashealth.com/locations/mozaic.
Ohio State University Transgender Primary Care Clinic, 543 Taylor Ave, 614-688-6490 (Outpatient Care East) and 465 N. Cleveland Ave., 614-293-3939 (Primary Care Westerville), wexnermedical.osu.edu
Ohio State's Transgender Primary Care Clinic offers many health services, including primary care, HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), hormone replacement therapy
and referrals for gender-affirming surgery. The clinic s open every Wednesday at 543 Taylor Ave. and every Friday at 465 N. Cleveland Ave.
Stonewall Columbus Transgender Therapy Group, 1160 N. High St., 614-299-7764, stonewallcolumbus.org/supportgroups
Stonewall Columbus provides a safe space for individuals who identify as transgender, gender variant, gender queer, non-binary or are questioning their gender. The social group is facilitated by licensed mental health professionals and allows participants to discuss topics such as identity, sexuality, transitioning and mental health. Register online.
Stonewall also offers similar therapy and support groups for non-binary and transgender people, along with in-house counseling for LGBTQ individuals, families, couples, youths. Priority goes to the uninsured or those on Medicaid; the in-house counseling services do not accept Medicare or private insurance. Register online at stonewallcolumbus.org/counseling.
Queer Behavior, queerbehavior@gmail.com, facebook.com/QueerBehavior
Queer Behavior offers courses and wellness programs that double as safe spaces for the LGBTQ community. Its queer yoga program has been up and running for 10 years, and is currently held at Yoga on High at 1020 Dennison Ave on Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. Queer Behavior also hosts other wellness programs at Equitas Moziac.
Retail, services and recreation
Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association, 4990 Olentangy River Road, clgsa.com
The largest gay softball association in the Midwest, it is an open division softball league that provides opportunity and access for LGBTQ athletes. The nonprofit engages in fundraisers and philanthropy, including the Bat-N-Rouge for Pride Month on June 19, along with social gatherings and other events.
Experience Columbus, experiencecolumbus.com
Created by the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, Experience Columbus has a list of LGBTQ-owned businesses that includes anything from restaurants and dining to pet care and home services.
Lavender Listings, 614-930-2264, lavenderlistings.com
Central Ohio's LGBTQ directory organized by Stonewall Columbus includes local businesses by category that are LGBTQ-owned or are safe spaces for the LGBTQ community.
Ohio.org is an online database run by the Ohio Department of Development filled with travel locations, itineraries and events across the state. The website features a list of LGBTQ-owned businesses in the Columbus area and elsewhere in Ohio.
Out of the Closet Thrift Store, 1230 North High St., 614-291-2680, outofthecloset.org
When shopping at Out of The Closet, 96 cents of every dollar is donated to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation's HIV care services. Out of the Closet also offers free HIV testing along with a shopping experience filled with unique, eclectic finds.
Strands for Trans, strandsfortrans.com
Strands for Trans connects people with local barbershops and salons to provide safe hair care and beauty services without the gendered experiences. Owners of salons and barbershops can register online to request a free pink, white and blue barber pole sticker to signify their connection with the trans community.
Social opportunities and connection
Black, Out, & Proud, 360 Olentangy Forest Drive, blackoutandproud.com
Black, Out and Proud serves as a resource for Black LGBTQ people to advocate, educate and celebrate themselves and their identities.
Rainbow Sisters, 5400 Karl Road, rscol2015@gmail.com
This social organization meets the first Wednesday of the month to connect lesbian women over the age of 40 through social events and outreach programs.
National resources
American Civil Liberties Union, 4506 Chester Ave.
Cleveland, 614-586-1958, aclu.org
The ACLU works in courts and with legislators to defend human rights in the United States and to make sure they are extended to marginalized people in the Black, Indigenous, People of Color and LGBTQ communities
Center for Black Equity, centerforblackequity.org
The Center for Black Equity is a network of LGBTQ people, allies and organizations working to achieve equality through health, social and economic equity.
Human Rights Campaign, hrc.org
The Human Rights Campaign advocates for equity and equality for the LGBTQ community. The website features a variety of educational resources to help with coming out, finding health care, experiencing hate crimes and more.
Lambda Legal, lambdalegal.org
Lambda Legal strives to achieve recognition for the civil and human rights of the LGBTQ community and those living with HIV through litigation and public policy.
National Center for Lesbian Rights, nclrights.org
This nonprofit doubles as a law firm advocating for civil, human and LGBTQ rights through litigation, legislation, policy and education. The nonprofit organization offers free legal representation for those in need.
National Center for Transgender Equality, transequality.org
Transgender activists created the National Center for Transgender Equality in 2003 with the goal of advocating for political and social change for transgender people. The website offers educational resources on trans and nonbinary people, policies and issues affecting trans communities.
National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, lgbtqbar.org
Founded more than 30 years ago, the LGBTQ Bar Association is a national group of legal professionals, advocates and LGBTQ organizations. Its website features resources for finding a lawyer for discrimination cases and answers to legal questions. The LGBTQ+ Bar offers a variety of programs and events that cultivate advocacy, education and support for LGBTQ people and identities.
The Trevor Project, thetrevorproject.org
The Trevor Project provides 24/7 crisis services for LGBTQ youth that match users with a counselor over text chat and audio or video calls. There are also mental health and educational resources about sexual orientation, gender identity and more.
@zariajohnson24
zjohnson@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Guide to Greater Columbus LGBTQ organizations, support groups
