June is a month of celebration, pride, and inclusivity as we honor Pride Month. At OMK we stand with and support our LGBTQ+ military youth and families. In this post we will highlight the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in the military and provide resources available for LGBTQ+ youth in Ohio.
Pride in the Military:
LGBTQ+ people have existed throughout history, including Ancient Greece and two-spirit people in Native American cultures. LGBTQ+ people are present in all parts of society – they are people we know and love, and even people who serve in our military.
In the United States less than 1% of citizens volunteer to serve in the armed forces, and 6.1% of military personal identify as LGBTQ+ according to research conducted in 2015 by Meadows, et. al.
LGBTQ+ individuals have been part of the military since its formation, with Lieutenant Colonel John Lauren being one of the earliest recorded in the Revolutionary War. Since then, many more LGBTQ+ individuals have served our country.
Despite their bravery, the stories of these individuals are often unknown or overshadowed due to the military’s history of anti-LGBTQ+ policies (Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Transgender Military Ban) which led to the less-than-honorable discharges of an estimated more than 100,000 service members due to sexual orientation or gender identity (The Williams Institute, 2010).
Recent years have brought policy advancements for our LGBTQ+ service members; but there is more to be done to achieve military inclusivity.
Resources for LGBTQ+ Military Youth & Families in Ohio:
- Community Centers:
- The LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland, Equitas Health, and Stonewall Columbus provide a wide range of support and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals, including youth. These centers often offer counseling services, support groups, educational programs, and social events to create safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ youth to connect, learn, and thrive.
- Equitas Health along with PAPI work to offer PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), which prevents HIV, and STD testing free of cost to all Ohio residents with or without insurance.
- Counseling Services and Safe Spaces:
- Organizations like the Trevor Project provide mental health support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention services specifically tailored to LGBTQ+ youth. They offer online chat and phone hotlines to provide immediate support and guidance.
- Many insurance websites can assist in your search for counseling for LGBTQ+ individuals. OSU’s provider search can be found here.
Support for LGBTQ+ Individuals in the Military:
- Modern Military Association of America offers legal services, advocacy, and community support to address issues faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the military.
- Military Equal Opportunity (MEO) Offices throughout Ohio are responsible for ensuring equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion within the military. They provide support, guidance, and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals who may face discrimination or harassment.
Social Opportunities and Connection:
- Black, Out, & Proud serves as a resource for Black LGBTQ+ people.
- Rainbow Sisters meets the first Wednesday of every month for social events and outreach programs for lesbian women over the age of 40.
- The Kaleidoscope Youth Center in downtown Columbus offers social events, a discord server, drop-in hours, movie nights, D&D groups, and more for LGBTQ+ youth.
- The Prim Youth Initiative in Dayton plans and hosts events for LGBTQ+ youth. They also offer support groups and a library.
- PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) has chapters across Ohio that offer support and social groups for LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
References:
Meadows, S. O., Engel, C. C., Collins, R. L., Beckman, R. L., Cefalu, M., Hawes-Dawson, J., Waymouth, M., Kress, A. M., Sontag-Padilla, L., Ramchand, R., & Williams, K. M. (2015). Health Related Behaviors Survey: Sexual Orientation, Transgender Identity, and Health Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members. RAND Corporation, RB-9955/6-OSD, 2018. As of May 26, 2023: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9955z6.html
The Williams Institute (2010). Discharges under the Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell policy. Retrieved from: https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Discharges-DADT-Women-Race-Sep-2010.pdf