Ohio LGBTQ+ Performance Opportunity Guide
LGBTQ+ individuals not only need space to gather, but also need opportunities to express themselves!
LGBTQ+ individuals not only need space to gather, but they also need opportunities to express themselves!
This Ohio LGBTQ+ Performance Opportunity Guide is here to help Ohioans find the arts-based community they might be seeking, whether that’s singing your heart out, blowing your trombone or twirling the rainbow flag for all to see.
This list will be updated regularly. If you know of any additions, corrections or deletions, please email us with details. 🔥
Categorized by performance type:
Bands
Cleveland Pride Band
Mission Statement: We are a diverse group of musicians with one thing in common: the love of music! The love of music is what has brought us together, and we hope it is what will bring you to us, whether as a new member, volunteer, or as a member of our community
Location: Cleveland
Columbus Pride Band
Mission Statement: Our mission is to create quality musical and social experiences for our members and community through a variety of performances. We promote a safe, inclusive, and fun atmosphere for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies while cultivating the joy of music, friendship, and personal growth.
Location: Columbus
Glass City Pride Band
Mission Statement: We started this band to create a fun, supportive environment for LGBT+ musicians and flag corp members to join together on a new stage to inspire the next generation.
Location: Toledo
Queen City Freedom Band
Mission Statement: The Queen City Freedom Band provides for the education and musical development of its members and community, presents music-based programs for public benefit and for charitable purposes, promotes visibility of LGBTQ+ community and their allies, and builds understanding between and among LGBTQ+ and other communities. We believe that all talent is worthy of development and that visible artistic expression improves our communities’ health
Location: Cincinnati
Chorus/Choir
Cincinnati Men’s Chorus
Mission Statement: Through our music we strive for excellence; support and nurture our members; entertain our audiences; and work for justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and harmony between the gay community and the community at large.
Location: Cincinnati
Cleveland Transgender Choir
Mission Statement: Cleveland’s non-auditioned choral group for singers identifying as transgender or non-binary. All non-cis singers 14 and up are welcome!
Location: Cleveland
Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus
Mission Statement: Our mission as an organization is to foster increased recognition, understanding, and acceptance of individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community. We dedicate ourselves to perform vocal music at the highest possible standard of quality, and to maintain an atmosphere of camaraderie, support, and respect for our diverse members and audiences.
Location: Columbus
Columbus Women’s Chorus
Mission Statement: We believe in the power of the collective voices to transform society for the better. We believe that we are obligated to raise our voices through song to inspire action, raise awareness, and elicit positive change not only for women, but for our entire community. Using our collective voices, we seek to educate and empower the community by raising awareness and encouraging action around social issues that affect women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and the greater Central Ohio community.
Location: Columbus
Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus
Mission Statement: Founded in 2003, DGMC is committed to continually reaching for excellence in choral music, forging active community partnerships and educating others about the value of diversity. We offer a broad range of musical styles from serious to the sublime—heavy to hysterical. Our members have a dedication to the choral arts and the desire to become part of a singing, gay-affirming community—and, no, you don’t have to be gay to join us!
Location: Dayton
Gem City Chorus
Mission Statement: Gem City Chorus, Dayton’s premier women’s show chorus, invites you to join a vibrant family of women from all walks of life. We are brought together by our love of a cappella singing, with a special focus on the timeless tradition of barbershop harmony.
Location: Dayton
MUSE
Mission Statement: We advocate for the rights of all people on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality. We commission and seek out music composed by women and pieces written to enhance the sound of women’s voices. We educate and empower ourselves and our audiences by celebrating women’s strengths and elevating our struggles.
Location: Cincinnati
North Coast Men’s Chorus
Mission Statement: The North Coast Men’s Chorus presents high quality musical entertainment for diverse audiences, promotes a positive influence within and beyond the gay community, and provides a supportive environment for its members and participants.
Location: Middleburg Heights
The Pride of Toledo Chorus
Mission Statement: Pride of Toledo is all about making beautiful music together in the barbershop style. Members come from not just the Toledo area, but also from northeastern Indiana, southern Michigan, and all of northwest Ohio, to sing with this fun, loving group of ladies. Building lasting friendships through the power of music and harmony. We sing, we laugh, we grow—together.
Location: Toledo
SingOUT Cincy
Mission Statement: SingOUT Cincy is a multigenerational, queer-centric singing organization dedicated to highlighting voices of the LGBTQIA+ community, bridging generational divides, and showcasing music by and for LGBTQIA+ individuals. SingOUT Cincy dreams of a city where queer voices are heard and celebrated, where queer people and allies of all ages are able to lift each other up in song, and where audiences of all kinds gather in community to celebrate and honor queer voices.
Location: Cincinnati
Sing Out Stark
Mission Statement: Creating diverse singing communities and choral experiences using evidence-based research, promoting the physical and emotional well-being of shared voices throughout Stark County.
Location: Canton
Windsong
Mission Statement: Windsong, Cleveland’s Feminist Chorus, strives to create a joyful, caring community with a spirit of inclusiveness and diversity. We create music to promote feminism, social justice, activism, and the empowerment that comes from finding one’s own unique voice.
Location: Cleveland
Color Guard
Flaggots Ohio
Mission Statement: Flaggots Ohio is central Ohio’s premier LGBTQ+ colorguard performance ensemble. We’ve been putting our brand of loud, proud color and energy on the streets of Pride celebrations throughout the Midwest and across the U.S. for more than 20 years.
Location: Columbus
Improv
Improv Cincinnati
Mission Statement: Improv Cincinnati is an award-winning theatre company that teaches fun and uplifting classes, produces theatrical improv and sketch comedy performances, and delivers professional team building and keynote experiences.
Location: Cincinnati
Theater
Evolution Theatre Company
Mission Statement: Evolution Theatre Company provides a supportive encouraging environment for celebrating the artistic vision of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and ally (LGBTQQIA) individuals, advancing the understanding of gender issues, and fostering the expression of creative performance arts by and about the LGBTQ+ community.
Location: Columbus
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