Cincinnati, the first Ohio city to create an LGBTQ+ commission, appointed 12 individuals to lead the body earlier this Month.
Cincinnati’s voluntary commission will report twice a month to the city’s Healthy Neighborhoods Committee and advise council members on how legislation might impact the LGBTQ+ community. Members will also help keep track of hate crimes in Cincinnati and recommend measures that could impact residents, from queer medical care to education and outreach.
“This is really historic,” said Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney. “I’m really proud that Cincinnati has moved forward with this.”
Columbus established its LGBTQ+ commission shortly after Cincinnati, but appointed its commissioners earlier, in December 2025.
Cincinnati’s commission will have their first meeting in April, according to Cincinnati CityBeat.
Who is on Cincinnati’s LGBTQIA+ Commission?
Storm Boyd
Boyd is a campaign finance officer at the Hamilton County Board of Elections, a spokesperson for the Hamilton County Juvenile Court and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He proposed the idea back in 2024.
“It seems like we are setting the tone across the state when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues,” he said. “I’m excited to work with [the city] to make Cincinnati more inclusive and the destination for LGBTQ+ people to live, work, celebrate and thrive.”
Reggie Harris
Harris is a former Cincinnati council member and serves as Ohio U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman’s chief of staff.
Carson Hartlage
Hartlage is a member of the TransOhio Board of Directors.
Jeniece Jones
Jones is the CEO of Caracole, a nonprofit focused on HIV education, prevention and support.
Joshua Petty-Kayes
Petty-Kayes co-founded TreeHouse Cincinnati, a nonprofit hub for LGBTQ+ community and allies. He currently serves as its board chair.
Sarah Pickle
Pickle is a clinical professor and practicing doctor with the University of Cincinnati who created one of the first trans-focused medical school curricula in the country.
Jeremy Jay Phillippi
Phillippi is the president of Cincinnati Pride and director of resource services for St. Vincent de Paul in Cincinnati, a faith-based nonprofit that provides support for homeless individuals.
Karen Morgan
Morgan serves as the director of Greater Cincinnati’s Human Rights Commission and sits on the Human Rights Commission’s National Board of Directors.
Delia Sosa
Sosa is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Cincinnati and executive director of the Medical Student Pride Alliance.
Jeremy Tyler
Tyler is the diversity, equity and inclusion chair for Cincinnati Pride and treasurer for Cincinnati Black Pride.
Jonah Yokoyama
Yokoyama is the gender-affirming care clinical specialist with Equitas Health, a nonprofit health system focused on serving the LGBTQ+ community and providing HIV resources and care.
Nicha Zingarelli
Zingarelli is the director and chief attorney of the Hamilton County Help Center. 🔥
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- Direct contact information for the commission is not yet available. However, the commission can be reached through Cincinnati Councilmember Anna Albi at anna.albi@cincinnati-oh.gov.
- To access The Buckeye Flame’s Ohio 2026 LGBTQ+ legislation guide, click here.
- To register to vote or to check your voter eligibility status in the state of Ohio, click here.
- To find contact information for your Ohio state representative, click here.
- To find contact information for your Ohio state senator, click here.
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