Cincinnati Pride drew thousands to the Queen City last weekend. Here’s what we saw. 📸 @hcomeriato.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/06/30/c...

Here's how the Trump administration is chipping away at transgender health care access for adults With more than 30 interviews with trans adults, treatment providers, conservative activists and trans rights activists over the last two months. For @nbcnews.com: www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost resigns to join national anti-LGBTQ+ hate group. Yost will step down next month to join the Christian legal group behind thousands of pieces of anti-transgender legislation. ✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social

The government is escalating efforts to seek private medical data for children who receive gender-affirming care, as at least one hospital faces the first known criminal probe of its kind. Meanwhile, several legal battles are playing out over other attempts to obtain trans kids’ medical records

Sherrod Brown will face anti-transgender Republican Sen. Jon Husted in a bid for the Ohio U.S. Senate previously held by JD Vance. Brown won the Democratic nomination by a landslide, but has been criticized by some LGBTQ+ leaders for bending on trans rights. ✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social

National media outlets are withdrawing their investment in LGBTQ+ news and queer reporters at a time when trans rights are being increasingly targeted, @bokchoy-baobei.bsky.social reports. objectivejournalism.org/2026/04/equa...

This is one of my articles that I'm most proud of — it's from 2023, so it's a treat to see @thebuckeyeflame.com give it some new life and new readership!

Ohio teacher sues school district and school board president for removal of ‘Hate Has No Home Here’ poster. The Little Miami teacher had the poster up for nearly four years before the LGBTQ+ flags caused an uproar. 🔗 thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/04/07/o...

Ohio Supreme Court hears case on health care ban for transgender youth. The case dates to 2024, when the ACLU filed a lawsuit on behalf two 12-year-old transgender girls and their parents challenging the “SAFE Act.” ✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social

NEW from me on the IOC trans ban: "Anyone who calls themselves a feminist should name this for what it is: a massive blow to true fairness in women’s sports. IOC President Kristy Coventry and the like won’t, because this never was about fairness for women at all." xtramagazine.com/culture/olym...

Conservative lawmakers said they will use the bill to target transgender Ohioans who use public locker rooms https://mrf.lu/fKpW

Absolutely thrilled to see @hcomeriato.bsky.social and I's work in @19thnews.org. If you haven't read the article yet, please do!

As anti-LGBTQ+ legislation moves through the Republican-controlled Ohio Statehouse, rangegoers have cited the proposed laws as key to their decision to own a gun and to learn how to shoot. From @thebuckeyeflame.com:

🚨BREAKING🚨 - House Republicans pass drag ban targeting transgender Ohioans; bill now moves to Senate. Conservative lawmakers said they will use the bill to target transgender Ohioans who use public locker rooms. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/03/25/o...

LGBTQ+ Ohioans mark upcoming Transgender Day of Visibility 2026 with community events. 🔗 Hit the LINK for a listing of events all across the state. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/03/24/l...

“I don’t want to see anyone I care about die,” Sarah said. “If that means learning how to use a firearm appropriately, that’s what it means.”

Trans Ohioans create a safe space to teach other trans people how to shoot guns and handle firearms safely. ‘People were smiling and happy and feeling comfortable [because] they have access to firearms for the first time in a safe place.’ ✏️ @bjodway.com & @hcomeriato.bsky.social

Drag performers testify against Ohio drag ban that also targets transgender people. Conservative lawmakers said part of their intent is to ban trans and gender non-conforming people from using public locker rooms. ✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/03/18/d...

New favorite line I've gotten to write: The members of Congress looked considerably less glamorous than the Housewives.

What is the SAVE America Act? Critics say the bill’s structure would add burdens for some people, especially women and others who have changed their legal names because of marriage, assimilation or to better align with their gender identity. 19thnews.org/2026/03/save... via @19thnews.org

Bill that allows untrained chaplains in Ohio schools opposed by chaplains themselves during third hearing. Chaplains, social workers and counselors say untrained chaplains place LGBTQ+ and non-Christian students at risk. ✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/03/12/c...

Larissa, a therapist from D.C., recently spent 12 hours in a jail cell with five other people. There was no running water, since the sink wasn’t working. They were all fed once: a baloney sandwich per person. She was there for her trans patients. They're being hurt by this administration, she said.

Late last year I covered the case of QueerDoc, a small, telehealth gender-affirming care practice that received a subpoena from Trump's DOJ. The subpoena was blocked by a federal judge, but the DOJ appealed, and the 9th Circuit is hearing oral arguments today.

Conservative Christian lawmakers push for chaplains to serve as ‘substitute mothers and fathers’ in Ohio public schools. Republican Bill inviting volunteer chaplains to minister in Ohio public schools could place LGBTQ+ students at risk. ✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social

Kansas is invalidating trans residents' licenses even if they HAVEN'T changed their gender markers, according to this reporting from @natezuke.bsky.social @assignedmedia.org: www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...

Last week, Kansas instituted a new bathroom ban in government facilities and prevented trans people from updating the gender markers on their licenses. While we're filing a lawsuit to defeat this transphobic law, here's the latest.

California law aimed to provide a supportive environment for LGBTQ students at school. The Supreme Court said that’s not as important as allowing parents to direct the upbringing of their children.

Midwestern Lesbian has more than 50,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok – and a new brick-and-mortar office in Cincinnati. Now founder Kelsey Ference says the LGBTQ+ events company is ready to bring pop-up events to LGBTQ+ Ohioans across the state.

LGBTQ+ Athletes Won 11 Medals at 2026 Milan Olympics

This story was fun to write bc it’s mostly older trans guys being like “we used to bind uphill both ways in the snow” But in all seriousness, binding used to be the wild west. Duct tape, electrical tape, ACE bandages. Now we have good products. But the FDA is cracking down on those. Read more:

Ohio Republicans introduce bill to protect parents who reject their trans children. Republican sponsor: ‘We’re fighting a war here.’ thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/12/o...

Worked with @hcomeriato.bsky.social and @kenschneck.bsky.social to get this one out. There's a lot of parts to this bill. We tried our best to break it down, show how legislators discussed it, and the resulting response from LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations and leaders. Give it a read.

The phrase “small, organic, community-supported farms, run by trans and queer people” either invites “DUH,” or an eye-roll from conservatives. @dear-gazelle.bsky.social breaks down why queer folks are joining, and changing, agriculture.

BULLSEYE! Columbus Archery offers LGBTQ+ Ohioans healing, community and a new target 🎯 "This is a sport that was given to us by Black and brown people so long ago, so why aren’t more Black and brown people doing this?"

Lawsuit challenging sorority’s right to allow transgender members moves to Ohio federal court. Former Kappa Kappa Gamma members say they were wrongly removed for breaching sorority bylaws after protesting transgender inclusion. ✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/09/k...

Tear gas is banned in international warfare, yet classified as a “riot control agent” that law enforcement can use for crowd control. “It just doesn’t work well, and it hits the weakest people the most, and causes the most complications in them,” an anesthesiology professor at Duke University said.

Several hundred people gathered at Public Square in downtown Cleveland Friday afternoon as part of the “ICE Out!” nationwide general strike. ➡️ thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/31/l...

Six providers in the Twin Cities area said no-show rates have increased for prenatal visits. Some patients, afraid of encountering law enforcement officials, are changing their delivery plans to opt for home births — sometimes without communicating it to providers.

The First Amendment fully protects our right to record ICE agents, police, FBI, National Guard troops, and other government officials performing their duties in public. Know your rights while filming, how to protect your digital privacy, and what to do if you're stopped or arrested for recording.

Citing fear of ICE, pregnant immigrants in Minnesota are -skipping prenatal care -requesting home births, even when not medically advised -going w/o adequate food Many are experiencing complications providers say can be stress-onset: diabetes, high blood pressure, and even water breaking early

Leaders urge LGBTQ+ Ohioans to protest ICE at national general strike rallies across the state. ‘Queer people need to show up because this is all connected.’ thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/29/l...

Several hundred people showed up to participate in the national general strike rally at Public Square in downtown Cleveland. Demonstrators changed Ohio’s famous call-and-response chant “OH-IO” to “OH-ICE OUT” as the state prepares for ICE agents to arrive in the city of Springfield early next week.

PLEASE SHARE WIDELY! HIRING: The Buckeye Flame seeks two Reporting Fellows to cover LGBTQ+ Ohioans of color. Pay for the six-month fellowship is $15,000 and applications are due by noon on February 13. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/26/r...

"A Massive Victory": DOJ Drops Demands for Medical Records of LA Trans Minors

The shutdown of Wisconsin's version of C-SPAN amid a shortfall of fundraising has left the state as perhaps the only one in the country where its legislative floor debates are not being broadcast.

Out LGBTQ+ candidate Stephanie Thomas announces bid for Cuyahoga County Council. Thomas to campaign on rent control, senior services, labor relations and open office hours in District 3. ✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/20/o...

Amid protests, City Club of Cleveland hosts Center for Christian Virtue www.clevescene.com/news/clevela...

The City Club of Cleveland hosted the president of an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group Friday following weeks of public backlash, drawing dozens of protesters. My latest for @thebuckeyeflame.com ➡️ thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/16/t...

The City Club of Cleveland hosts Center for Christian Virtue amid protests. Here’s what we saw inside AND outside the forum. thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/16/t...

Gender-based violence researchers told @19thnews.org that the widespread visibility of physical violence against women in public spaces does not happen in a vacuum and goes hand-in-hand with the policies and messaging coming from the administration. 19thnews.org/2026/01/ice-...