CINCINNATI, Ohio — As Pride Month begins, members of the LGBTQ+ community in Ohio say the political climate isn’t just challenging, it feels increasingly unsafe.
In response, mental health advocates and grassroots organizations are stepping in to provide critical support.
One such effort is occurring in Cincinnati, where Transform is creating a safe haven for LGBTQ+ individuals across the region. The nonprofit offers a variety of services, including clothing assistance, community outreach and social events.
“I grew up queer. A lot of my family will tell you they knew even when I was young that I was different,” said Vaught, who co-founded Transform Cincy and lives with obsessive-compulsive disorder and complex PTSD. “Some of that has to do with my own identity and how I’m treated in the world.”
One of the nonprofit’s standout programs is the LGBTQ+ Connection Recovery Support Group, operated in partnership with NAMI Southwest Ohio. The peer-led group supports LGBTQ+ adults over 18 who are navigating mental health conditions, offering not only community, but practical tools for healing. The program is also free.
“It’s nice to know everyone in the group is LGBTQ+,” said Vaught. “You also understand some of that marginalized fatigue. You understand the minority fatigue.”
The group recently received a $25,000 grant from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, allowing it to expand its reach. Katie Harper, executive director of NAMI Southwest Ohio, said the funding will help further tailor support for LGBTQ+ individuals.
“Everybody has that baseline in regard to a mental health condition,” Harper said. “But if we can further segment and make the groups identity-based, it really removes that barrier.”
The need for such support is urgent. A 2024 report from The Trevor Project found that 43% of LGBTQ+ youth in Ohio seriously considered suicide in the past year. 12% attempted suicide, among the highest rates in the Midwest.
For Hayes Hiltenbeitel, a facilitator with the support group who has also faced PTSD, anxiety and depression, the work is personal.
“Knowing that it was okay and knowing that I was going to be safe afterwards was huge,” they said. “Being able to return that favor in a small way to the people here is so meaningful.”
As for Vaught, they said mental health care and chosen family are central to the mission.
“If we go back to ‘Why here? Why now? Why this type of support group?’ Chosen family is what gets us through this,” they said.
Support Resources Across Ohio:
• Cleveland: TransOhio, PFLAG Cleveland