LGBTQ+ Advocacy

ABOUT US

First Community is an open and affirming congregation that welcomes all in the community. As such, we seek to advocate for and with our friends in the LGBTQ+ community. First Community participates in community-based Pride events such as the Stonewall Columbus Pride Parade and the UA Pride Day. Our group also seeks to advocate for our friends in the LGBTQ+ community year-round. If you would like to be a part of our LGBTQ+ Advocacy Group and these initiatives, please contact Kristyn Anderson.

KALEIDOSCOPE YOUTH CENTER PROJECT

JANUARY 2024

ABOUT KALEIDOSCOPE YOUTH CENTER

Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC) creates a place of belonging and strength for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults across Ohio. KYC provides education, resources for food and clothing, wellness programming, homework support, life skills, and a place for LGBTQ+ youth to feel at home in their most authentic, confident self.

As an open and affirming congregation, we stand with the team at KYC in providing care and compassion to the youth they serve.

SUPPLY DRIVE EVENT

Sunday, January 21

12:30 pm

First Community North (3777 Dublin Rd.)

This January, First Community will coordinate a supply drive to support KYC in meeting the basic needs of the youth and young adults they serve. During winter, KYC welcomes people ages 12 -24 who need warm clothing and personal care items to support their well-being in the cold weather. You can contribute to this project in any of the following three ways:

Purchase brand-new winter clothing or personal care items (see examples below) and bring them to our collection event at First Community North (3777 Dublin Rd.) on January 21, 2024, at 12:30 pm.
Visit KYC’s Amazon Wishlist to shop for the items they need this winter. If you shop this wishlist, please be sure to ship the items directly to KYC when you are checking out. You can comment in your order that it is a purchase on behalf of First Community Church’s January supply drive.
Attend our collection event at First Community North (3777 Dublin Rd.) on January 21, 2024, at 12:30 pm to help us sort donations and write supportive notes for the youth at KYC. All ages are welcome at the event!

WHAT DONATIONS ARE NEEDED?

We are seeking brand-new clothing and personal care items, including:

Winter coats (all sizes welcome, M - 3X needed)
Sweatshirts and sweatpants (all sizes welcome, M - 3X needed)
Long sleeve shirts (all sizes welcome, M - 3X needed)
Underwear / boxer briefs (L - 3XL)
Beanies for curly hair
Hats/gloves/scarves
Drawstring bags/backpack
Wet wipes
Unscented facial wipes
Shampoo/conditioner/body wash
Chapstick
Brushes/combs
Deodorant
Toothpaste/toothbrush
Mouthwash w/o alcohol
Lotions (unscented and/or hypoallergenic)
Curly hair products

Please reach out to Kristyn Anderson at with any questions. Thank you!

LINKS TO RESOURCES

Please let us know if there are any resources you would like to see added to this page.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)
Provides HIV testing as well as comprehensive healthcare to persons living with HlV/AIDS through their Columbus healthcare center and pharmacy.

American Adoptions of Ohio
American Adoptions takes pride in helping hopeful adoptive couples of all backgrounds and will always welcome you with open arms. Their local agency is located at 20 S. 3rd St. Suite 210, Columbus, OH 43215.

American Civil Liberties Union
The ACLU works to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people can live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personalautonomy, and freedom of expression and association.

Bisexual Resource Center
The Bisexual Resource Center works to connect the bi+ community and help its members thrive through resources, support, and celebration. Through this work, we envision an empowered, visible, and inclusive global community for bi+ people.

Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO)
Provides comprehensive individual and community programs for survivor advocacy and support to LGBTQI survivors of hate and bias violence, discrimination, intimate partner violence, stalking, and/or sexual assault.
Helpline: 1-866-86-BRAVO (1-866-862-7286)
Text: 614-333-1907

Columbus Adoption & Foster Care Resources
Couples and individuals considering adoption often wonder whether there are local adoption agencies, home study providers and other resources in their area. Whether you are considering adoption as prospective adoptive parents or as a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy, this guide provides the information you need about home study professionals, foster care resources and adoption agencies in the Columbus, Ohio area.

Columbus Public Health LGBTQ Health Initiative
Connects community partners through the Greater Columbus LGBTQ Health Coalition, offers LGBTQ training to healthcare professionals and other providers, and addresses health disparities with programs geared toward LGBTQ communities.
Heather Pennington - LGBTQIA+ Liaison
Phone: 614-645-1847
Email:

Equality Ohio
A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advocates for full legislative equality for the LGBTQ community in Ohio.
614-224-0400

Equitas Health
A not-for-profit community-based healthcare system in Columbus that specializes in working with the LGBTQ community and people living with HIV/AIDS.
1105 Schrock Rd, Suite 400, Columbus, OH 43229
833-378-4827

The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN Columbus)
Works to ensure safe schools for ALL students, regardless of sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Greater Columbus Empowerment Center (GCMC)
A community center that offers HIV/STD testing, social events and counseling for same-gender-loving men of color and their allies.
1890 E. Main Street, Columbus, OH 43205
614-706-4736

Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign envisions a world where every member of the LGBTQ+ family has the freedom to live their truth without fear, and with equality under the law.

Kaleidoscope Youth Center
Works in partnership with young people ages 12-20 in Central Ohio to create safe and empowering environments for LGBTQ youth through advocacy, education, and support.
603 East Town Street, Columbus, OH 43215
614-294-5437 (10am-6pm)

Lighthouse Youth & Family Services
An organization embracing professional values that support employees and clients of all backgrounds, race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexuality, and disability. Lighthouse also provides LGBTQ cultural competency training. Our training is offered free to foster parents, staff and youth-serving organizations in Ohio to help ensure wherever LGBTQ+ youth go for care, they feel welcomed and affirmed.

Modern Military
Formed through the merger of the American Military Partner Association and OutServe-SLDN, the Modern Military Association of America is the nation’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to advancing fairness and equality for the LGBTQ+ military and veteran community. Through education, advocacy, and support, we are making a real difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ service members, military spouses, veterans, family members, survivors, and caregivers.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Columbus
Committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education, and advocacy. Meeting times are listed on their website.
4739 Riverwood Drive, Hilliard, OH 43026

Q Christian
A diverse community with varied backgrounds, cultures, theologies and denominations, drawn together through the love of Christ and the belief that every person is a beloved child of God.

Queer Behavior
Works to unite the Columbus queer community by creating fun, interesting, and educational queer programming and community events.
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Scholarships & Resources for LGBTQIA+ Students
This guide to scholarships and resources for LGBTQIA+ students can help you navigate the process with ease, gain immediate access to scholarships you qualify for, and find additional financial and academic resources to aid in your success.

Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE)
We’re a national advocacy and services organization that’s been looking out for LGBTQ+ elders since 1978. We build welcoming communities and keep our issues in the national conversation to ensure a fulfilling future for all LGBTQ+ people.

Stonewall Columbus
Central Ohio's LGBT Community Center. Programming includes social groups, therapeutic and support groups, counseling, HIV/STI testing, and the annual Columbus Pride Parade.
1160 North High Street, Columbus, OH
614-299-7764

Trans Allies of Ohio
An Ohio organization that demonstrates through public policy, equal opportunity, respect and full inclusion, that transgender youth, adults and families belong
P.O. Box 3155, Dublin, Ohio 43016

TransOhio
Serves the Ohio transgender and ally communities by providing services, education, support and advocacy, which promotes and improves the health, safety and life experience of Ohio transgender individuals and community.
P.O. Box 14481, Columbus, Ohio 43214

The Trevor Project
Focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer, and questioning youth.

Wolfe Legal Services
Attorneys have extensive experience in working with LGBT families. They are LGBT friendly as recognized by the Judges, Magistrates, and fellow Attorneys in Central Ohio.
3212 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43202
614-263-5297