Advocates & Allies: Turning Protest into Policy
THANK YOU, OHIO, FOR A GREAT EVENT! WE RAISED OVER $40,000 IN ONE EVENING TO SUPPORT LIVED AND LEGAL EQUALITY IN OUR STATE!
MORE UPDATES COMING SOON!
Thursday, October 1st, 2026
5:00 pm – 8:00pm | The Fives, Columbus, OH
Photography by Every Angle Photography.
Anisa Love will host this year’s main program! Beforehand, our VIP Happy Hour features special guest Virginia West.
Meet the Advocates and Allies of 2026!
Equality Ohio recognizes the individuals and groups whose courage, commitment, and tireless work move Ohio closer to lived and legal equality for every Ohioan.
Jim Obergefell Legacy Award: Sen. Nickie Antonio
This award celebrates individuals whose leadership has fundamentally advanced equality, justice, and dignity for LGBTQ+ people. As Senator Antonio concludes her historic tenure in the Ohio General Assembly, we’re honoring a career that broke barriers and changed the landscape of political representation. In 2010, she became the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to the Ohio Legislature, opening the door for generations of LGBTQ+ public servants to follow. Her leadership has helped shape policy, elevate voices too often excluded from public debate, and inspire advocates across the state to continue the fight for equality.
Equality Ohio Founder Award: Tom Grote
The Founder Award recognizes an individual whose vision, leadership, and service were instrumental in establishing Equality Ohio and whose enduring commitment has helped shape and strengthen the organization’s mission. As Equality Ohio’s founding Board Chair in 2005, Tom’s vision, courage, and steadfast leadership helped build the foundation upon which this organization continues to stand more than two decades later. Tom has remained one of Equality Ohio’s most dedicated champions, generously giving time, wisdom, and leadership, and is currently co-chair of the Obergefell and Arthur Society Steering Committee where he volunteers his time to strengthen our mission for the future.
Ally of the Year: Trans Allies of Ohio
This award recognizes individuals and organizations who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to standing alongside LGBTQ+ Ohioans, using their voices, influence, and power to advance equality. This year, we can think of few groups that embody that commitment more powerfully than Trans Allies of Ohio.
As parents of transgender youth, they’ve transformed the love for their children into a grassroots movement for families across our state. Trans Allies of Ohio help parents and community members navigate the legislative process, connect with lawmakers, testify at the Ohio Statehouse, and organize against policies that threaten the freedom and wellbeing of transgender Ohioans.
In a moment when transgender young people and their families have been forced to defend some of the most basic aspects of their lives before elected officials, your leadership has demonstrated what meaningful allyship looks like: showing up, speaking out, organizing others, and refusing to allow trans people to stand alone.
Queer Joy Award: Heather Rocco (One Small Act Miami County)
This award recognizes an individual whose leadership reminds us that our movement cannot be defined only by what we are fighting against, but also by what we are fighting for: communities where LGBTQ+ people can live openly, gather freely, celebrate boldly, and experience the joy of belonging. As President of One Small Act Miami County and founder of Troy Pride, Heather creates spaces in a part of Ohio where visible LGBTQ+ community and affirmation matter deeply. Her work reflects the belief that meaningful change begins when people simply choose to show up for one another. One Small Act’s mission is to build community, elevate marginalized voices, and ensure neighbors feel seen, supported, and valued.
NextGen Award: Kaleidoscope Youth Center Youth Advisory Board
This award recognizes emerging LGBTQ+ leaders who are carrying the torch of advocacy forward and helping build a more just and equitable Ohio for the generations that follow. This year, we are especially proud to recognize the KYC Youth Advisory Board for the extraordinary courage of their members for showing up to advocate for themselves and each other, and bravely testifying against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and policies.
At a time when LGBTQ+ young people, particularly trans youth, have too often been the subject of political debate, these young leaders refused to allow others to speak for them. They stepped forward, told their stories, challenged lawmakers, and reminded Ohio that young people are not simply impacted by public policy, but they deserve a voice in shaping it. Their courage represents the very best of the next generation of our movement.
LeeAnn Massucci Legal Advocate Award: Joy B. Savren, Esq.
Named in honor of Equality Ohio’s former Family Law Director, LeeAnn Massucci, this award recognizes outstanding legal advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ+ Ohioans. Joy Savren served as lead author of Equality Ohio’s updated Ohio LGBTQ+ family Law Guide, and following Massucci’s passing, stepped forward to mentor the Legal Clinic’s staff and help ensure the continuity of the family law work Massucci cared so deeply about.
Advocates & Allies is made possible by the generous support of businesses and organizations committed to lived and legal equality.
