????Yesterday––March 30––Idaho’s Governor signed into law two bills that target trans people and take away essential civil liberties like playing sports and accessing a correct birth certificate. Some Ohio legislators have plans of their own, including fining doctors who treat gender-expansive youth, and prohibiting trans girls from playing school sports.
Join Us In Stopping This In Ohio
Today, March 31st, we celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), an annual event dedicated to uplifting and centering the transgender people in our community, their contributions to society, and the discrimination they face on a daily basis. TDOV was started in 2009 by Michigan transgender activist Rachel Crandall in response to the lack of positive recognition of transgender people by the cisgender LGB community. Before TDOV, the only transgender-centered day was Transgender Day of Remembrance, which mourned the deaths of murdered transgender people but did not celebrate the lives of the transgender people with us currently.
Today, TDOV is celebrated by activists all over the world. Unfortunately, the pandemic has limited in-person gatherings. But we can still be visible––check out some of Ohio’s most visible, trans-led groups working with and for trans Ohioans.
Black Queer & Intersectional Collective – Columbus
Black Queer & Intersectional Collective (BQIC) is a grassroots community organization working toward the liberation of Black LGBTQIA+ folks through direct action, community organizing, and creating spaces.
Meta Center, Inc. – Akron
META Center Inc. is an Akron-based 501(3) organization that creates regular programming for transgender and gender non-conforming youth ages 7-19. Through providing affirmation to one of society’s most vulnerable, META Center Inc. works to create social change and foster acceptance.
Margie’s Hope – Cleveland
Margie’s Hope is an organization dedicated to assisting transgender and nonbinary people in need. They have a number of groups for both transgender children and adults in need of help, as well as groups for their families and friends.
Toledo Area Transgender Support (T.A.T.S.) Group
T.A.T.S. (Toledo Area Transgender Support) is Northwest Ohio’s local transgender support group––in fact, the only support group in the area. In addition to providing support, T.A.T.S. shares current events of interest to trans people on their Facebook page.
Transform Cincy – Cincinnati
Transform Cincy provides a free closet where transgender and gender non-conforming youth can get a new wardrobe and accessories, and trade in previous clothes if they choose. Transform Cincy is currently collecting good condition clothes, shoes, and accessories of all sizes to build their shop.
TransOhio – Statewide
TransOhio serves the Ohio transgender and ally communities by providing services, education, support, and advocacy, which promotes and improves the health, safety and life experience of the Ohio transgender individual and community.
Octopus LLC – Columbus
Organizing Communities Transgender Outreach Promoting United Support (OCTOPUS LLC) is a pro-bono organization, founded and run by attorney Kimberly Griffiths. OCTOPUS LLC is dedicated to uplifting the transgender community through education, outreach, and advocacy.
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