A new effort is underway to harness the political power of Ohio’s roughly 400,000 LGBTQ+ voters — and that call to action goes out to everyone in Ohio, not just those who live in its largest city hubs.
On May 13, the Ohio Democratic Party (ODP) is hosting its first gathering at Antiques On High in Columbus specifically devoted to formalizing a statewide Pride Caucus. The goal is to bring together LGBTQ+ elected officials and allies together from across the state in an effort to identify LGBTQ+ activists, community leaders and campaign volunteers interested in making real change in future leadership positions.
Virtual options are available for those not in the Columbus area.
“Historically, people would gather and provide support for the LGBTQ+ community whenever different campaigns would come through, but there’s never been any formal organization that’s specifically focused on our community,” says Jeremy Blake, vice chair of the Equality Ohio board and former Newark City Council member. “This caucus is really going to help us identify leaders for candidate recruitment, help train those candidates so they can be successful at the ballot box, and allow us to continue supporting them even after they’re elected.”
For Blake, who was Newark’s first out City Council member and Ohio’s first gay, Black mayoral candidate, putting together a Pride Caucus is the necessary next step in protecting LGBTQ+ rights here at home.
“This Pride Caucus is about developing relationships,” says Blake. “We want you to stay here in Ohio within your community where you’re living, where you can make a difference every single day. If you’re wanting to be in this fight, we want to support you to do that and we want to support you throughout your whole career.”
At this first meeting, ODP will enact bylaws for the new group and accept nominations for elected positions in the Pride Caucus before it goes to a final vote later this summer by the ODP executive committee. And while it seems like it may just be another networking event on the surface, it’s meant to be so much more than that. Once finalized, this will mark the first time in Ohio history that a single unified effort to address and support LGBTQ+ rights has been initiated across the entire state.
“Perhaps the most powerful piece we’ll be able to provide, regardless of how active you want to be, is providing that personal experience to be able to relate to someone else who serves in an elected office and is also a part of the LGBTQ+ community,” says Blake. “Even if you live in a rural area, we want you to know that you’re not alone and you don’t have to be siloed.”
The decision to create a Pride Caucus comes at a crucial time when the introduction of anti-LGBTQ legislation, specifically anti-trans legislation, is rampant across the state. And while the community continues to show up in small, powerful ways as anti-LGBTQ+ bills are introduced, there’s never been a pipeline created for LGBTQ+ people interested in raising awareness in their communities or taking on positions of power.
This Pride Caucus will set out to provide necessary scaffolding, networking, resources and statewide community support to even the smallest communities in need of LGBTQ+ representation and pave a path forward for anyone interested in getting involved in local and state politics.
“This effort is targeting opportunities not just in the state legislature, but your city councils, your school boards and your township trustees,” says Blake. “Our biggest strength as members of the LGBTQ community is our ability to come together and support each other no matter where we come from.
“When we have these leaders elected in positions of power, they’re able to have their influence in better bringing awareness and advocacy for all issues, including the importance of protecting our trans community and protecting our young people,” says Blake.
When you consider that 10% of Ohio’s voters now identify as LGBTQ+ — and that number is expected to almost double by 2040 — there’s certainly been a shift in making sure Ohio by-and-large continues to be a state where LGBTQ+ people are seen, heard, live and thrive. Organizers highlight that if you don’t see yourself in an elected position and just want to be a supporting member of the community, then Pride Caucus most definitely has a place for you.
“If you identify with our community, or even if you’re an ally of our community, we want you to be a part of this,” says Blake. “This is not exclusive to just elected officials or party leadership — it’s open to anyone throughout the state who wants to join us in fellowship and be a part of a brand new organization.” 🔥
Ignite Action
- To get involved, you can contact the ODP Pride Caucus at Ohdemspride@gmail.com or get in touch through Facebook.
- The first meeting of the Ohio Pride Caucus will take place on Saturday, May 13 from 1 – 3 p.m. at Antiques on High, 714 S High St in Columbus. Register here. Virtual options are available for those not in the Columbus area.
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