This article first appeared in The Buckeye Flame

As trans individuals and advocates in Ohio, we know that our community is facing extraordinary challenges right now. The fear, the hate, the legislation—it’s all real, and for many, it’s overwhelming. We completely understand that for some, leaving a state like Ohio—where anti-trans laws, rhetoric, and fear-mongering are rampant—might feel like the only viable option for survival. And for those who can afford to make that move, who have the resources and support to relocate and rebuild their lives elsewhere, that might be the right decision for their physical and mental health.

But here’s where we feel the need to speak up: When we start to frame “getting out” as the only solution, we risk abandoning the very people we’re trying to protect. Ohio isn’t just a place on a map; it’s home to thousands of trans people who, right now, are counting on the people who have stayed—who have chosen to dig in their heels and continue the fight, no matter how difficult.

Leaving might be the right choice for some, but what about the people who can’t leave? The trans folks who don’t have the means to uproot their lives, the youth who are just beginning to understand themselves in a state that might feel like a warzone? Where do they turn if we aren’t here to guide them? Where do they find hope?

Ohio needs us. Not just in terms of surviving, but in terms of leadership, mentorship and visibility. When we leave, we send the message that we’ve given up on this state—on these people—on the next generation. And that’s where we see the real danger in this rhetoric. We are the advocates, the warriors, the ones who can show the youth that it’s possible to not only survive but thrive in the place they call home.

But there’s an even deeper issue: If every trans person in Ohio were to leave right now, Ohio wouldn’t be “free” of trans people. That’s an illusion. Children are born every day—trans children, children who will one day come to understand their identity. Our absence will leave them to grow up in a state that’s even more hostile, even more dangerous for them. Without us here, they will grow up without the role models they need to see that it’s possible to live openly and confidently as trans.

If we leave, we rob them of the chance to see us fight for their future, to know that there are people who are willing to stand up for them, who are willing to fight against the hate and discrimination that’s being aimed at them. Without us, they’ll have to navigate this world alone—without the strength of trans warriors to show them it’s possible to survive, to thrive, to be unapologetically themselves.

We cannot leave them behind.

If we walk away, Ohio remains a state in which trans youth grow up without role models, without examples of resilience and resistance. The same state where we see laws targeting us, where we see attacks on our rights, would be left without the advocates who are already here fighting for the change we deserve.

And let’s not forget: change doesn’t come from the outside. It comes from within. We can’t expect others to come in and fix things for us. For every person who chooses to leave, there are so many more of us standing here in Ohio, fighting for change—for all of us. We have power, we have influence and we are making an impact.

Of course, no one should have to risk their safety, their livelihood, or their mental health for the sake of activism. But we also have to recognize that if we all leave, we leave behind a future without any trans voices in the state. No one will be left to help the next generation of trans Ohioans understand that they, too, are worthy of living here, of thriving here, of claiming this state as their own.

To the parents of trans children who have fought so hard for their kids’ rights—your courage and dedication don’t go unnoticed. We see you. We appreciate you. We know the weight you carry in fighting for your child’s safety and future. If at any point you decide the best thing for your child is to leave Ohio and seek a safer place, do so without hesitation. Your responsibility, above all else, is to your child. Your advocacy is invaluable, and your child’s well-being is your priority. Know that we stand beside you in whatever decision you make, because your family’s safety and peace are paramount.

In a recent article, we read one former trans Ohioan suggest we should just let fascism take Ohio and make our exit. To that, we say: Hell no! If you feel you need to leave, then leave. However, don’t mistake making the right decision for you personally as the solution for Ohio.

Is the road to equality in Ohio going to be long and difficult? Absolutely. In fact, we’re not sure we’ll see us achieve that goal in our lifetimes. But that doesn’t make the fight any less worthy. If anything, it makes it more valuable—it gives us the opportunity to leave a legacy. And that’s not something we can just walk away from.

This is our fight. And we’re not walking away from it.