By H.L. COMERIATO (THEY/THEM), Investigate Midwest
Each year, LGBTQ+ organizations recognize dozens of LGBTQ+ Ohioans and allies for their contributions to LGBTQ+ communities across the state.
The Buckeye Flame has gathered a list of more than 30 of the latest honorees, receiving awards from four LGBTQ+ organizations in categories that include arts and culture, public service and health and wellness.
2023 Equality Ohio Allies & Advocates
On October 5, LGBTQ+ legal advocacy group Equality Ohio hosted their annual Ohio Allies & Advocates 2023 event, presenting 11 Ohioans with awards for their contributions to LGBTQ+ communities across the state:
Central Ohio, Advocate Award: Cam Ogden
“In 2022, Cam Ogden joined forces with a group of parents of trans youth to establish Trans Allies of Ohio (TAoO). Since its inception, TAoO has been instrumental in transforming the Ohio Statehouse into a more welcoming space for transgender individuals and their families, offering essential support for those seeking to testify and providing ‘community care rooms’ within the Statehouse.
Over the past year, Cam has worked hand in hand with Equality Ohio, relentlessly combating anti-trans bills and extending vital support to the families and youth affected by these discriminatory policies.”
Central Ohio, Ally Award: Sam Shim
“Sam Shim is the first Asian American to be elected into public office in Columbus; he served on the Worthington City Schools Board of Education for eight years. Sam’s tenure was a cause for celebration as he played a pivotal role in implementing groundbreaking policies to safeguard transgender students and staff within Worthington Schools.”
Southwest Ohio, Ally Award: The Cincinnati Cyclones
“With a remarkable 42-year career in Social Work and Education, Ron Clemons has now embraced retirement. His career focus on Family Counseling and Addiction has left an enduring legacy in Southwest Ohio.
In 2004, Ron earned a Photography degree. As both a Photographer and Writer, he has beautifully captured the LGBTQAI community’s spirit. Ron’s dedication extends to volunteer and fundraising efforts with Tri-State Leather, supporting those exploring alternative lifestyles.”
Northeast Ohio, Advocate Award: DeVon-Jae Adonis Morales
“[DeVon-Jae Adonis Morales is] a dynamic Senior Manager with an impressive 21-year tenure in the finance industry. Beyond being a finance expert, Devon-Jae is also a dedicated member of the board of directors for two extraordinary organizations: Equality Toledo, lending passion and expertise for one and a half years, and the newly formed Toledo Queer Black Collective.”
Posthumus Advocate Award: Daphne Miller
“Daphne was a mother of six year old twins, Oliver and Penelope, and life partner to Betty Jacobs. She was a proud co-founder and Board President of LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County, founded in 2019.
Daphne spent most of her free time volunteering for the organization by building the website, creating and posting all social media, creating all organizational marketing materials, co-event planner for all events, including Lake county Pride.
Daphne’s dedication, enthusiasm, and drive were unmatched when it came to making sure the people of Lake County knew the organization existed, and was a safe space for all LGBTQ+ people and allies.”
Southwest Ohio, Ally Award: The Cincinnati Cyclones
“The Cincinnati Cyclones are the ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack. They are dedicated to creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all fans. With ‘hockey is for everyone’ as a tagline, they are going into their fourth consecutive season with a Shutout the Hate game.”
Northwest Ohio, Advocate Award: Dr. Erin Marten
“[Dr. Erin Marten’s] passion for equitable healthcare shines through her creation of Solace Health and Wellness in 2020. This organization stands as a vital response to the glaring health disparities faced by Black women, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, refugees, and all marginalized communities within our healthcare system.”
Northeast Ohio, Advocate Award: John Corlett
“John is an esteemed leader, currently serving as the President and Executive Director of The Center for Community Solutions.
His career has been a tapestry of public and private sector leadership, including pivotal roles as vice president for government relations and community affairs at The MetroHealth System, and as the State of Ohio’s Medicaid Director.”
Northeast Ohio, Ally Award: Kevin Clayton
“Kevin Clayton is Senior Vice President, Head of Social Impact and Equity for the Rock Entertainment Group, which includes the Cleveland Cavaliers, Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland Charge, Cleveland Monsters and Cavs Legion Gaming Club …[overseeing] Community Relations/Engagement, DEI, and the Cavaliers Community Foundation.”
2023 Equality Ohio Advocate & Ally awardees also included LGBTQ+ allies at Squire Patton Boggs legal firm and attorney Mark Heron.
LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland Heritage Day Awards
The LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland is set to honor seven LGBTQ+ Ohioans via their annual Heritage Day awards and celebration. Awardees include Buckeye Flame intern and independent journalist Riley Roliff, who is set to receive the Center’s Rising Leader Award at a ceremony on October 19. Other awardees include:
Arts and Culture Award: Alex Frazier
“Alex Frazier is a Black, queer, Trans, artist, community organizer, educator and harm reductionist from northeast Ohio. Their work strives towards the liberation of Black queer, Trans, and intersex people from all walks –of- life. Alex is sometimes known as Shay, from the dynamic sexual health duo Shay & TK, and Rev. Juanita Bind’Em, drag educator extraordinaire.
They have worked as a community organizer and a fierce advocate for folks living with HIV. During their tenure at Equitas Health, they spearheaded projects like The Liberation Health Model Trainings, Whip Smart: An Inclusive Exploration of Consent Culture, Kink, BDSM, and The Ohio Youth Leadership Summit: 2020-2022…”
Health and Wellness Award: Akeem Rollins
“Akeem brings his whole self to his work to prevent HIV within the Black LGBTQ+ community. His lived experience is at the core of his dedication and knowledge to the barriers and facilitators that impact HIV prevention. He expresses these experiences through the art of spoken word, and organizes outreach and actions to be as effective and actually reach the intended communities who are greatly impacted by HIV, racism, and stigma due to various social and political disparities.
Building on this knowledge and incorporating his own experience Akeem has carved an important niche in their efforts to effect change and work to reduce new HIV infections in Greater Cleveland. He has been working as an HIV Early Intervention Specialist with MetroHealth for the past 5 years.”
Public Service Award: Jeff Bixby
“Educator, activist, and humanitarian: Jeff Bixby has spent his life dedicated to being authentically himself while working to make schools safer for all students in Ohio and throughout the country.
As an activist, Jeff’s positive spirit and dedication started while on the campus of Kent State University, and he still remains committed to his early ideals of justice for all, learning through the arts, and connecting with people.
Jeff retired from teaching in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2008 after teaching for 30 years. Through the 1980s, Jeff apologetically lived his truth as a teacher and gay man. In a time before Internet, Jeff was reaching folks across the country with informative reports on LGBTQ+ history by appearing as the host of the public access TV show, “This Week in Gay History,” on the Gay Cable Network.”
LGBTQ+ Legacy Award: Jerome Littlejohn
“Jerome Littlejohn carried a strong presence in the LGBT community and was a warm beacon of hope and resilience in the AIDS/HIV community. As a tester, Jerome helped countless people learn of their status.
As a counselor Jerome was both comforting and informative. As a Black Sister of Perpetual Indulgence, Jerome continued to break down institutional barriers that furthered their work in the AIDS/HIV community.
Jerome passed this year, yet their legacy certainly lives on. When the history of Cleveland’s LGBTQ+ community is written, it would be incomplete without a mention of Jerome Littlejohn.”
Rising Leader Award: Riley Roliff
“Riley is one of the most important LGBTQ+ journalists in Ohio… Her investigative work into how solitary confinement has been used against trans people has sparked vital dialogue around incarceration.
Her research into the past sermons of Ohio Representative Gary Click have helped the nation understand how one individual’s anti-LGBTQ+ views can help shape the introduction of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and the her work to amplify the efforts of an Ohio-based LGBTQ+ library helped them reach their funding goals to open a much-needed resource.”
LGBTQ+ Legacy Award: Brynna Fish
“Brynna Fish is a Cleveland lesbian icon. She is very well known in the Boomer and Gen X lesbian community as an out-and-proud lesbian feminist and activist. In addition, she is also well known nationally as a supportive contact in Cleveland for women when they visit here. She is kind, direct, engaged, and willing to show up.
For over 30 years, her unwavering dedication to advancing the cause of equality has left an indelible mark on the communities she has served. Brynna’s legacy is defined by her tireless efforts to promote inclusivity, challenge discrimination, and fight for the rights of those who have been marginalized by society. Her pioneering work spans a wide range of fields, from education and advocacy to policy development and community building.”
Advocacy and Activism Award: Kameron & Lennon Pepera
“Lennon and Kameron [Pepera] are kind, compassionate, brave humans who work tirelessly to ensure a future for gender and sexually diverse youth amidst great adversity and despair. They fearlessly navigate political and societal threats on a daily basis in order to serve as a voice and hero for LGBTQ+ youth across the nation.
The work they do supports LGBTQ+ youth, their parents and friends and allies; the breadth of impact is profound across the entire community. Their efforts strive to secure a future for the LGBTQ+ community through advocacy for youth, supporting policy and protections at a national federal level. Their work impacts people across the U.S.”
PFLAG Cleveland’s 2023 Jane Daroff Lifetime Achievement Award
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Cleveland are also set to present the Jane Daroff Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring six Cleveland pioneers in HIV/AIDS care.
The awards ceremony will take place Tuesday, October 17th, 2023, at Trinity Commons in Cleveland, from 5:30pm to 8pm. Awardees include:
- Sister Marian Durkin,CSA
- Sister Susan Zion
- Michael Lederman,MD,LSMFT
- Tracy Jones, MNO,ATGC
- AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland
- Mark Lehman, MSSA, LISW
Each awardee has contributed to the advancement of HIV/AIDS care, from the early days of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s to the present.
NKY Pride Community Awards
“The NKY Pride Community Awards recognize the Northern Kentuckians who have demonstrated a commitment to positive change and have made an impact on LGBTQ+ lives in Northern Kentucky.”
While the NKY Pride Community Awards took place in Covington, Kentucky, many honorees live or work in the tri-state area, which includes Cincinnati, Ohio. The awards include recognition in the categories of education, business inclusivity, activism and art, among others. Honorees include:
LGBTQA+ Community Activist Award: David Wolff
“This category celebrates a member of the community who has shown a commitment to and made an impact on NKY LGBTQ+ lives by working for a more equitable, inclusive, and safe region. Previous Awardees: Julia Keister (2022), Drew Boehmker (2021), Martin Warne (2019).”
LGBTQA+ Inclusive Business or Workplace Award: Meet NKY
“This category celebrates a business that has shown a commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion through their community efforts as well as their internal culture. Previous Awardees: Kenton County Public Library (2022), CHAD (2021), Crazy Fox (2019).”
LGBTQA+ Education Leader Award: Bruce Tosolot and Kelsey Hayward
“This category celebrates an educator who has made an impact on school culture and on the lives of students in Northern Kentucky through their commitment to LGBTQ+ equity, inclusion, and safety. Previous Awardees: Katie Threet (2022), Tom Haggard (2021), Nate Green (2019).”
LGBTQA+ Ally Award: Hannah Edelen
“This category celebrates an individual (parent, friend, mentor, etc.) who has demonstrated a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ people through their allyship. Previous Awardees: Chris Brown (2022), Annie Venerable (2021), Amy Robinson (2019).”
LGBTQA+ Artist Award: Alynn Rouselle
“This category celebrates an artist who has demonstrated a commitment to LGBTQ+ equity, visibility, and inclusion through their creative medium. LGBTQ+ Faith-based Organization. This category celebrates a place of worship or faith-based organization that demonstrates a commitment to LGBTQ+ equity, visibility, and inclusion through their services and actions. Previous Awardees: The LeCameron’s (2022), Jay DeFazio (2021), Chad Turner (2019).”
LGBTQA+ Faith-based Organization Award: First Christian Church
“This category celebrates a place of worship or faith-based organization that demonstrates a commitment to LGBTQ+ equity, visibility, and inclusion through their services and actions. Previous Awardee: Trinity Episcopal Church (2022).” 🔥
IGNITE ACTION
- To learn more about Equality Ohio and the 2023 Ohio Allies & Advocates awardees, click here.
- To learn more about the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland and their Heritage Day awardees, click here.
- To learn more about PFLAG Cleveland or to find a PFLAG support meeting in your area, click here.
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The Buckeye Flame is an online platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ Ohioans to support community and civic empowerment through the creation of engaging content that chronicles their triumphs, struggles, and lived experiences.
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Previously Published on thebuckeyeflame
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Photo credit: Honorees Cam Odgen and Sam Shim, pose together at the 2023 Equality Ohio Allies & Advocates awards ceremony. (Photo Credit: Equality Ohio Advocates & Allies 2023 LookBook)