Elected officials in rural Ohio submit testimony in favor of state’s ‘drag ban,’ spurring response and a protest. The mayor of Greenville, Ohio, calls bill violators ‘degenerates’ in his letter to the state’s House of Representatives. ✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social

Free speech or platforming hate? City Club of Cleveland to host president of Ohio anti-LGBTQ+ hate group. The Center for Christian Virtue invited because of their “influence,” says speakers’ forum CEO. thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/11/17/c...

“The hypocrisy just proves to me that no matter what I do, people are going to be transphobic to me. People are going to question my gender. And I just have to do me.”

🚨BREAKING: STRIKERS WIN! The order affirms what we’ve said all along: The PG’s lawless union-busting cannot stand. We made sure it didn’t. We’re taking back what they stole from us. We won this strike.

LAST CALL to register for tomorrow's FREE virtual workshop! It really is a great session that can support what you're doing out there in the world! bw-edu.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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HOW'S THIS FOR KARMA? - Thwarted by his city council in 2024 for being a gay candidate, this Ohioan just came back in 2025 and got more votes than them all. David Nation could have sued the Waynesville City Council last year. Instead, he ran – and won – to make a statement.

I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day. certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.

reminder that we've got a pitch guide for freelance, if you ever feel like writing something up

Tabletop roleplaying is probably my favorite hobby. Getting to write about how people put together a D&D program that helps LGBTQ+ youth socialize, explore their identity safely, and have fun is a privilege. Please give this a read!

Ohio Republicans introduce bill to allow chaplains in public schools to provide undefined ‘support, services and programs’. The new legislation is similar to a 2023 bill that never received a hearing. thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/10/23/o...

I wrote a cute story about a farm in Ohio run by a lesbian couple who breed miniature zebus -- a breed of cow -- for animal-assisted therapy farms! (The zebu's name in the photo is Pepper and I pet her once and she wouldn't stop nudging me for more I love Pepper)

From ‘Wicked’ designer to ‘Hacks’ breakout star, Out100 honors 5 LGBTQ+ Ohioans. The annual list honors individuals who are influencing culture, especially during this challenging year for the LGBTQ+ community. thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/10/20/o...

really awful news.

Ohio teacher who was suspended for having LGBTQ+ books in her classroom loses her court case. The teacher and her lawyer are exploring how they want to move forward with the case. ✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/10/16/n...

70% of articles covering Trump's anti-trans executive orders did not quote a single trans person. Let that sink in. Everyone needs to read this new report from @transjournalists.org and understand how we can be more intentional in our sourcing when covering these stories.

Lakewood drafts first-in-Ohio ‘Gender Freedom Policy’ in response to anti-trans attacks. Lawmakers aim to provide ‘reassurance and protection’ to transgender residents, families and drag performers. thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/09/29/l...

Reviving Gay Fad Studios: How an LGBTQ+ couple created a midcentury glass destination in central Ohio. ‘This is so much more than a business for us. It’s about being bold and dreaming big.’ ✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social penning an INCREDIBLE read.

This is an AMAZING feature by my colleague @hcomeriato.bsky.social packed full of history and queer joy!

It's only thanks to the support of our subscribers that we can run freelance pieces like this, and I always want to do more! Help me live my dream! aftermath.site/products

Stepped outside of my comfort zone to write this story about a really cool group of players in a military simulation video game! Absolute pleasure to work with @aftermath.site and @rcmacleod.bsky.social. Please give it a read!

A new bipartisan bill seeks to reinstate the national suicide hotline services for LGBTQ+ youth that Trump cut. This is an especially vulnerable group who are now without specialized 988 services at a time when they need it most.

Highlighting this story today as more high-profile figures being targeted or fired for their speech. This stuff is impacting people at the local level too.

This News is So Gay (9/17/25): Navigating Rapid Response to LGBTQ+ News (While Staying Sane) Featuring: @jacobreyesdfw.bsky.social (@glaad.bsky.social), @danapiccoli.com (@newsisout.bsky.social) & Spencer Macnaughton (@unclosetedmedia.bsky.social). We needed this episode this particular week.

Ohio county’s LGBTQ+ organization cuts support groups, events due to lack of funds. LGBTQ+ Allies of Lake County coffers are running dry after Trump’s election. thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/09/16/l... ✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social.

COURT: You can now say “GAY” on your Ohio license plate. An Ohioan sued after he applied for a license plate reading “GAY” through the Ohio BMV and the plate was immediately rejected as “Inappropriate/Invalid.” thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/09/15/c... #JustSayGay #Ohio #LGBTQ

Super happy to be on another episode of this fantastic podcast!!

Good morning friends, I've got some ✨ news ✨ www.propublica.org/atpropublica...

Cuyahoga County unanimously passes Ohio’s first county-wide ban targeting conversion therapy on minors. Penalties include fines and losing license to practice. ✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social & @bjodway.com (via @reportforamerica.bsky.social) thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/09/09/c...

‘We really needed this in Waverly’: Ohio teen starts LGBTQ+ organization in a tiny rural village. 19-year-old Reece Johnson started Haven 740 last June to create a “safe, welcoming space” in Waverly. ✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/09/09/h...

Sweep people out, then fine them for trying to survive. Sutter County just raised penalties for unauthorized camping. “Law enforcement, they seem to bully us and, like, target us,” said one unhoused resident. Read my story for the Appeal here: www.appeal-democrat.com/news/local_n...

NEW EPISODE! This News is So Gay: We chat with Tracy Baim, LGBTQ+ journalism legend, about making queer newsrooms work, the future of queer journalism and how to not take things so damn personally. thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/09/03/t...

A homophobic billboard in Ohio pissed her off. So this straight ally leapt into action to install a message of love. thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/09/02/h...

Higher ed association will no longer host conferences in Ohio due to state’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws. International Studies Association leadership sent a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine explaining that the state’s laws make Ohio too dangerous for their members. ✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social

Wrote for @newrepublic.com about how this was the obvious endpoint and not an aberration of the national security state, as many of us have been screaming for years. If we ever get out of this mess, we must recognize that leaving the tools of authoritarianism laying around means they’ll be used

Anti-yoga Ohio pastors send letter to Kroger CEO decrying LGBTQ+ support. No downward dog in schools, and no ‘woke’ groceries. ✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/08/18/o...

Instead of doomscrolling, maybe read this instead?

In case you missed it… we just launched our merch store! Come nab some Buckeye Flame goodies!!

How Ohio’s viral lesbian cheesemonger is changing the industry one wheel at a time. ‘I just love introducing people to that one cheese that ends up being their gateway cheese into this world.’ thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/08/15/m...

Really fun story! Read some queer joy today :))

NEW EPISODE! - This News is So Gay: LGBTQ+ Immigration Issues & a D.C. Memo That Only Benefits…White Men? Featuring: Gisselle Medina (@fresnoland.bsky.social), @felipedlh.bsky.social (@thenewrepublic.bsky.social) & @kalish.bsky.social (@huffpost.com) Hosted by: @kenschneck.bsky.social

As proposed statewide LGBTQ+ equality falters, Ohio LGBTQ+ advocates question: Is local action the only viable option? Local organizers are taking LGBTQ+ equality into their own hands as state lawmakers fail to advance a single pro-LGBTQ+ bill. thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/08/06/s...

LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay officially shuts down as a statewide org steps in. “While Spectrum will no longer be operating, our love for this community remains unwavering.” ✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/08/05/s...

Ohio organizers move forward with two separate amendments to ban discrimination, approve marriage equality. The decision follows a move by the Republican-controlled Ballot Board to double the work for organizers. thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/07/31/o...

So happy to join Ken and other amazing guests for this episode!

“Better Together”: How an Ohio couple overcame struggles and found strength in a mixed-orientation marriage. An Ohio husband and pastor came out as gay to his straight wife. Today, they are together and stronger in their rainbow family. ✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social

So excited to share my colleague @hcomeriato.bsky.social’s piece on Cleveland’s WNBA team! They’ve worked on this for a while, so please give it a read!

Columbus City Council votes to create Ohio’s second LGBTQ+ Affairs Commission. City Council unanimously approved the ordinance. ✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/07/15/c...

Columbus holds first public hearing on proposed LGBTQ+ Affairs Commission. Applications for appointment could open as early as fall, with the commission starting by year’s end. ✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social. thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/07/11/c...

CCV purchased a building across from the Ohio Statehouse, which “signifies the importance of having a strong Christian voice in not just Ohio politics but in American politics," according to the president of the org. Great reporting from my colleague, @hcomeriato.bsky.social.