The Buckeye Flame

How one Cleveland lesbian is connecting vulnerable communities to vital healthcare by being herself. Neighborhood Family Practice employs a community engagement coordinator to provide a much-needed bridge. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/27/h...

Appeals court hears arguments from Ohio teacher suspended for having books with LGBTQ+ characters in her classroom. New Richmond teacher Karen Cahall’s case started nearly two years ago. ✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/26/l...

‘I am a gay man in Sandusky, Ohio. When the vice president uses the suggestion that a man is gay to get a laugh, I recognize the move.’ thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/25/v...

Columbus queer youth choir welcomes audiences to Night Vale with Halloween concert on 10/31. The Columbus Queerscendos celebrates youth ages of 13-17 with all levels of musical experience and currently has seven members. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/24/c...

"Ramaswamy’s ad didn’t just attack Dr. Acton; it attacked all women, cis and trans, who remain the largest demographic of sexual assault survivors and the targets of sexual violence in all its forms." thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/23/c...

Trans blacksmith forges connections to her body and community in rural Ohio. ‘It’s a dying art and a very meaningful and welcoming space, especially to queer folks.' ✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/22/t...

⭐ BRAND NEW SO GAY PODCAST EPISODE! ⭐ This News is So Gay (10/21/26): Diving Into What Makes a Place a ‘Hate State’ Featuring: Xandra McMahon, co-producer of ‘Hate State,’ a new audio documentary from @lookoutnews.bsky.social. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/21/t...

@glaad.bsky.social releases Ohio Accountability Project with fact-based LGBTQ+ records of major midterm candidates. Amid an unprecedented deluge of anti-LGBTQ+ campaign ads, the fact sheets are intended to help voters hold leaders accountable. ✏️ @kenschneck.bsky.social

THIS! ‘You Can Read With Us’: Back to the Book reading club prioritizes LGBTQ+, BIPOC safety. ‘I don’t think that we necessarily need to read the same book to connect around books and to connect around our love for books, so I decided to test that theory out.’ thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/19/b...

One Ohio LGBTQ+ org is asking the question, "What if you walked into the polling booth and voted with love?" thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/13/v...

Any opportunity to shout-out librarians is a wonderful AND DESERVED thing indeed. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/14/h...

We love telling stories about LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs! - thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/16/a...

A burst pipe won’t stop the music at the vinyl hub of these Cincinnati cat dads. Alien Records has become an LGBTQ+ community space. Now, the community is stepping up to keep things spinning. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/16/a...

U.S. Senate candidate Greg Levy’s socialist campaign draws LGBTQ+ voters in contentious midterms. ‘The only way to really fight for trans equality for LGBTQ+ liberation is to fight for socialism and overturn capitalism for good.’ ✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/15/g...

⭐ BRAND NEW SO GAY PODCAST EPISODE! ⭐ This News is So Gay (10/14/26): Navigating the Onslaught of Anti-LGBTQ+ Political Ads Featuring: @missyspears.bsky.social (@queerkentucky.bsky.social) and @alexreimer.bsky.social (@queerty.com) thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/14/t...

Whoa. So this story certainly took off. Love that this content clearly resonated with folks! thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/13/t...

Booked Solid: You’re overdue to meet these LGBTQ+ BIPOC librarians doing the work in Ohio. LGBTQ+ BIPOC librarians are helping communities find stories, resources and histories that matter across the state. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/14/h...

Walk with our rural LGBTQ+ reporter Ben Jodway (@bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social) through The Bright Spot Campground & Marina (@brightspotcampground), a women- and LGBTQ-owned campground in rural Southeast Ohio. 📹️ @bjodway.com 🔗 thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/13/t...

Lesbian-owned campground in rural Ohio wants to be a connective community space for LGBTQ+ visitors and locals alike. ‘We think it’s crazy that we’re doing this, but we love it.’ ✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/13/t...

❤️ LOVE. THIS! ❤️ ‘Vote With Love’ is Ohio LGBTQ+ group’s mantra to mobilize voters. PFLAG is hoping personal connections will encourage voter registration and turnout. ✏️ @kenschneck.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/13/v...

FACT CHECK ✅ Who is ‘obsessed with men playing in women’s sports’? JD Vance says Democrats, but Ohio Republicans can’t get enough. Republicans mentioned transgender-related topics 22 times at recent Ohio campaign events, vs. Democrats’ zero times. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/12/o...

Last week I published an op-ed with @thebuckeyeflame.com about how deeply bothered I am by @repmarcykaptur.bsky.social’s anti-trans ads. Since, it has been covered by The Guardian, Fox News, and several far-right outlets. Please share, lets get it to Kaptur: thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/06/i...

With Ohio legislators home campaigning in their districts, one Republican quietly introduced a bill to prevent an LGBTQ+ youth from being raised by a non-parent supportive adult – like a grandparent – even if the youth has been rejected by their parents for being LGBTQ+.

The Trans Handy Ma’am is taking her tools on tour, promoting new book with stop in Ohio. Mercury Stardust’s home maintenance content helps LGBTQ+ people live with dignity. Now she’s taking her book on the road. ✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/09/t...

Out of the Closet Columbus is hosting its inaugural Fashion Show on Oct. 22, showcasing custom looks from local designers, so come in your own stylish fit. Join us as fashion, community and a cause come together in Columbus. 👗✨ 📅 10/22 🎟️ Free admission 🕖 Doors: 7 PM 📍 1230 N High St, Columbus, OH

Two trans Ohioans resign from the Ohio Democratic Party’s Pride Caucus, including vice-chair The resignations came within 24 hours of each other and amidst allegations of censorship by their own party thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/08/t...

Support your local LGBT+ news

Today is LOCAL LGBTQ+ MEDIA GIVING DAY, an opportunity to support 18 LGBTQ+ newsrooms across the country (including The Buckeye Flame!) doing this critical work of LGBTQ+ journalism. Help sustain LGBTQ+ news here! - givebutter.com/LGBTQMediaGi...

Hi @repmarcykaptur.bsky.social I worked for you in 2020 as an intern. I hope you read this piece I wrote for @thebuckeyeflame.com about how much harm your anti-trans ads are causing. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/06/i...

⭐ BRAND NEW SO GAY PODCAST EPISODE! ⭐ This News is So Gay (10/7/26): Diving Into the Gap Between Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws and Their Consequences Featuring: @hcomeriato.bsky.social (The Buckeye Flame) and @petrinkae.bsky.social (@transjournalists.org). thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/07/t...

Black, Out, and Proud to host Melanated Health Forum centering Black LGBTQ+ health and wellness. Melanated Health Forum makes room for uncensored wellness conversations for Black LGBTQ+ people in Columbus. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/07/b...

I worked for Rep. Marcy Kaptur. Now I am watching her attack my queer community for political points. ‘As a 27-year-old working journalist who challenges oppression and interrogates transphobia daily, I am embarrassed at Rep. Kaptur’s name on my resume.’ ✏️ @nickfulton.bsky.social

🚨 NEW BILL ALERT 🚨 Ohio’s new Republican bill raises a familiar question: Which families count? The Family Sovereignty Act would limit who can allege that a child appears abused or neglected. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/06/o...

Dayton Metro Library hosts 3rd annual ‘Summit on Trans Lives: Past, Present and Future’ The Oct 17 event will feature a range of educational workshops and a keynote by celebrated author George M. Johnson. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/05/d...

4 DAYS until Local LGBTQ+ Media Giving Day 2026! Any and all amounts will have a tremendous impact to support 16 queer newsrooms including @windycitytimes.com @thebuckeyeflame.com @dallasvoice.bsky.social @washblade.bsky.social @newsisout.bsky.social givebutter.com/LGBTQMediaGi...

Trump repeatedly pivots to anti-trans attacks in Ohio campaign rally on Saturday. Despite rising costs of living for all Americans, Trump could not stop pivoting back to attacking the infinitesimal number of trans Americans in athletics. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/05/t...

Hey, did you know Ohio might have more LGBTQ+ adults than we thought? Like…by a lot?!? FOR THE FULL STORY: thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/04/h...

Two Ohio trans elected officials support voting for Acton (but don’t excuse her comments). A public statement has earned praise, pushback and more allegations of censorship against the Ohio Democratic Party. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/02/t...

Six AIDS Memorial Quilt panels arrive in Dayton for ‘Wall Power’ exhibit. The panels are a powerful addition to the Art Institute’s ‘Spectacular Quilts’ show. ✏️ @kenschneck.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/10/01/s...

⭐ BRAND NEW SO GAY PODCAST EPISODE! ⭐ This News is So Gay (9/30/26): Unpacking When Queer Media Attacks Other Queer Media Featuring: @danapiccoli.com (@newsisout.bsky.social) & Graham Gremore (@queerty.com) thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/09/30/t...

Ohio gets a failing mark on sex education policy from national group. Ohio’s curriculum stresses abstinence as a general policy and requires only some instruction about sexually transmitted infections. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/09/30/o...

Out at the Polls: The Buckeye Flame’s Ohio LGBTQ+ Voter Guide. Welcome to our five-part voter series, where we break down everything LGBTQ+ Ohioans should know before hitting the polls. ✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/09/29/o...

Pump The Beat!: Ohio’s ballroom scene as a queer community haven For many people in the scene, ballroom is the foundation for their social and personal lives, and keeps many folx healthy, happy and safe. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/09/28/o...

Insiders say the Ohio Democratic Party is censoring criticism of anti-trans ads. Two posts pushing back against Rep. Marcy Kaptur’s anti-trans ads have been removed. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/09/28/i...

Meet Ohio’s 2026 out LGBTQ+ candidates for public office. Many LGBTQ+ Ohioans are running for public office ahead of Ohio’s contentious midterms. ✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/09/26/m...

How the lack of LGBTQ+ storytelling in rural Ohio inspired a rising queer influencer. Gav Galvan amplifies queer history to help those like him who grew up without it. ✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/09/25/g...

Black Poets Fest in Columbus builds a home for Black artists – LGBTQ+ definitely included. "This space belongs to us, without confusion or apology." thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/09/24/b...

⭐ BRAND NEW SO GAY PODCAST EPISODE! ⭐ This News is So Gay (9/23/26): Breaking Down the Anti-Trans Strategies of Democrat Candidates. Featuring: @daviddewitt.bsky.social (@ohiocapitaljournal.com) & Dani Kington (@athensindy.bsky.social) thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/09/23/t...

UPDATE: Equality Ohio has lowered Rep. Kaptur’s grade on their Candidate Scorecard from a "B" to a “D.” thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/09/17/m...