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.
