Right around the height of the COVID-19 global pandemic, I lost hope. I saw the worst of us on display during that time. I looked in horror upon the anti-vaxxing, anti-masking, privileged, blatantly racist, proudly ignorant population, and I lost hope. All of it. All my faith in humanity – right down the drain.

Before then, I didn’t realize how much I actually relied on that hope to get through life. It was only when I lost it that I missed it and realized it. I spent a few years in an emotional rock bottom. I withdrew, physically and emotionally, in disgust. I stayed in my bedroom, leaving it only to eat and to work. I cried a lot. I wept when I caught glimpses of people or performances that espoused hopefulness. (Such a performance was Melody Gardot’s music video for “From Paris With Love”. It’s made up of selfie-recorded videos from people all over the world during the pandemic. It’s worth watching. Melody Gardot - From Paris With Love (Official Music Video) (youtube.com))

My hopelessness lasted until last year. I noticed hope returning when I learned Kamala Harris was going to run. I cried then, too. I felt like we had a fighting chance. Until we didn’t.

When the election results were announced, I noticed a lot of emotions. Suspicion, frustration, a looming anxiety, even powerlessness… But I also noticed something different this time. Something important. I noticed that hopelessness hadn’t returned. In its place it had sent a galvanizing fury.

I welcomed it.

That’s what compelled me to start a group chat with some deeply trusted friends. I put in place a network of support right as we began to face up to what we all knew was coming. What has arrived. It’s not a particularly chatty chat, but it’s there when we need it.

A few weeks ago, someone in our group chat asked if there were any transgender-led or allied organizations to whom he could make a financial donation. I recommended one, and I thought there might be more people with that same question. So, I put together this list of some of Ohio’s trans-led and allied organizations.

Here they are, in alphabetical order, with a brief description of each one pulled from each website.

Black Queer & Intersectional Collective
https://bqic.net

The Black Queer & Intersectional Collective fights for a world where Black LGBTQ+ people from all backgrounds can thrive. BQIC is a grassroots community organization in Central Ohio that works towards the liberation of Black LGBTQIA+ people from all walks of life through direct action, community organizing, education on our issues, and creating spaces to uplift our voices. BQIC created Columbus Community Pride, a series of educational and social event which culiminated in a day-long festival. Donate: https://bqic.net/donate/ Note: It’s not clear if BQIC is still active; their most recent blog post is dated June 18, 2022.

Black Transmen of Ohio
https://www.btmohio.org

Black Transmen of Ohio is a safe, supportive, and empowering home for transmen of color in Ohio. Black Transmen of Ohio seeks to be a leading force in creating systemic change by transforming the lived experience of Black transgender men and non-binary (AFAB) individuals in Ohio. Black Transmen of Ohio seeks to do this through increased visibility, community-building, facilitation resource access, and advocacy. Donate: https://www.btmohio.org/ways-to-give

Bravo (Buckey Region Anti-Violence Organization)
www.bravo-ohio.org

BRAVO provides comprehensive individual and community programs for survivor advocacy and support to LGBTQIA+ survivors of hate and bias violence, discrimination, intimate partner violence, stalking, and/or sexual assault. If you or someone you know has experienced violence, threats, or intimidation BRAVO can work with you to discuss ways to increase your safety. Donate: https://bravo.equitashealth.org/donate

Equitas Health
https://www.equitashealth.com

Equitas Health’s mission is to be the gateway to good health for anyone seeking a welcoming healthcare home. Equitas Health is one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS-serving organizations, serving tens of thousands of patients in Ohio, Texas, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The Equitas Health Institute and the Buckey Regional Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO) are divisions of Equitas Health. Donate: https://equitashealth.com/get-involved/make-a-donation/

Mozaic
www.mozaicohio.org

A project of Equitas Health (equitashealth.com), Mozaic’s mission is to foster the success and well-being of the Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) transgender, gender-expansive, and nonbinary communities in Ohio. Mozaic helps folx thrive and sustain themselves through community building, education, and resource navigation. Mozaic offers a safer community space, clothing closet, and support to anyone who needs it. Donate: https://www.mozaicohio.org/donate/

Stonewall Columbus
https://www.stonewallcolumbus.org

Stonewall Columbus increases visibility, inclusion, and connection for the LGBTQ+ community. Their vision is an Ohio where every LGBTQ+ individual is visible, included, and connected, leading fulfilling lives without fear of discrimination – an Ohio where all of us thrive! Stonewall Columbus is the LGBTQ+ community center in Central Ohio which produces Columbus Pride (the pride parade and festival that welcomes over 750,000 visitors to the Columbus region). Donate: https://stonewallcolumbus.org/donate

TransOhio
https://www.transohio.org

TransOhio is Ohio’s first statewide trans equity organization. TransOhio protects and advances the rights of trans, nonbinary, intersex, and gender nonconforming people in Ohio. They have an affiliate organization called Trans Allies of Ohio (https://transalliesohio.org). Donate: https://www.transohio.org/donations/

That list isn’t exhaustive. If I missed any organization that you think I should’ve included, I apologize and I hope you’ll forgive my oversight. 

In honor of 2025’s Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31), I recommend making a contribution, financial or otherwise, to one or more of these excellent organizations.

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==Related News==

The Buckeye Flame: Ohio Republicans introduce bill to prohibit school staff from using ‘transgender names or pronouns’ to address students (thebuckeyeflame.com)

Ohio Capital Journal: State-level anti-LGBTQ bills have real, negative impacts on states, well-being of residents (ohiocapitaljournal.com)

Associated Press: Appeals court blocks Ohio’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors (apnews.com)

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Matthew Dyer (he/him/his), MLIS connects people to reliable information, resources, and each other. He’s a librarian who doesn’t work in a library. He lives in Westgate with his incredible husband, his husband’s garden, and their three cats.