Ohio Resources
There are many resources available for people identifying as LGBTQ or within the gender and sexual minority community. Many departments on campus are sensitive to LGBTQ issues and are trained to handle them appropriately and effectively. There are also resources available for the LGBTQ community in the surrounding area. Below a number of resources available off campus can be found for individuals to use.
LGBTQ+ Community Resource Guide
One of the LGBTQ+ Center's informational brochures compiling off campus resources for LGBTQ+ students in the surrounding communities. A downloadable version of the guide is available. Please click the link below to access the Guide.
Akron/Canton Area
Support Groups
Townhall II 155 North Water Street, Kent, OH 44240, 330-678-HELP (4357) or 1-866-449-8518 Toll Free, Townhall II in Kent offers mental Health counseling, a medical clinic and HIV testing for uninsured and low-income people, as well as a 24-hour help line for suicide prevention and intervention; An excellent local resource for rape crisis; domestic violence; drug/alcohol concerns; family problems; grief/loss; life stressors; information and referrals; or when you don't know where to call.
PFLAG of Akron Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), a national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and supporters and over 500 affiliates in the United States. This vast grassroots network is cultivated, resourced and serviced by the PFLAG National Office, located in Washington, D.C. This link goes directly to the Akron PFLAG section of the national PFLAG site. It's easy to navigate the website to search for other PFLAG groups across the country.
PFLAG of Kent Located at 1400 East Main Street, Kent, Ohio 44240. Phone: 330-298-5250. Meetings are the first Tuesday of each month at 6pm.
Kent State University Stark Campus Continuum - LGBTQ+ Student Organization (open to all). Advisor: Katrina Bloch, kbloch@kent.edu. Facebook: @ContinuumKSUStark
Stark State LGBTQ+ Student Org. Advisor: Natalee Hilt, nhiltA@starkstate.edu. 330-494-6170 x 4903
Out Support - Medina Provides support and resources for LGBTQ+ youth.
Margie's Hope Margie's Hope provides support for transgender individuals of all ages. Margie's Kids provides support for transgender youth.
META Center Akron Provides resources and programming for transgender youth ages 7-19 years.
TransAlive Support Group For all ages. Meetings held on the 4th Tuesday of every month, 6-8pm. Fairlawn West UCC, 2095 W. Market St. Akron, OH 44313
TransCEND Canton Provides advocacy and support for transgender individuals of all ages.
TransOhio Provides services, support, and advocacy for transgender and ally communities in Ohio.
Recovery/Sobriety Programs
Akron A.A. Intergroup St. John's Church, 2220 2nd St., Cuyahoga Falls. Phone: 330-253-8181
Kent Living Sober A.A. LGBT Discussion Sundays of every month at 7pm. U.U. Church of Kent, 228 Gougler Ave., Kent
Lambda Study Group, A.A. LGBT Group Wednesday's of every month at 8pm. Fairlawn West United Church of Christ, 2095 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44313
Agencies/Social Services
The Akron Pride Center, or CANAPI The Akron Pride Center, or CANAPI (Community AIDS Network Akron Pride Initiative), advocates for the rights of the LGBT community, serves as a safe meeting location for several LGBT organizations, and hosts seminars, educational meetings and social events. All of our groups and activities encourage the inclusion of diversity from within the LGBT community.
Akron Children's Hospital - Center for Gender Affirming Medicine Provides care to individuals up to 25 years of age. 215 W. Bowery St., Akron, OH 44308. Phone: 330-543-8538
BRAVO - Buckeye Regional Anti-Violence Organization Provides support and services to members of the LGBTQ+ community who are survivors of hate/bias violence, discrimination, sexual assault, and more. Phone: 1-866-862-7286
Cleveland Clinic Center for LGBT Care Chagrin Falls Family Health Center - 551 E. Washington St. Phone: 440-893-9393. Lakewood Family Health Center - 16215 Madison Ave. Phone: 216-521-4400
Equality Ohio Equality Ohio works towards transforming legal systems and institutions to ensure equality for LGBTQ+ Ohioans. They also have a Legal Clinic.
Equitas Health Akron 1815 W. Market St. #207, Akron, OH 44313. Phone: 330-794-5289
GLSEN Northeast Ohio The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) offers support and resources for LGBTQ+ students (high school and below), and works to ensure safe school for all students.
MetroHealth Pride Network Provides care for LGBTQ+ adults and children. Adult Primary and Gender Care: 216-957-4905. Kids Primary Care and Kids Gender Team: 216-778-8564
Summa Health Pride Clinic 1260 Independence Ave., Akron, OH 44310. Phone: 234-867-7740
Open and Affirming Faith/Religious
Cascade Community Church 1196 Inman St., Akron, OH 44305. Phone: 330-773-5298
Emmanuel Fellowship Church 60 N. Arlington St., Akron, OH 44305. Phone: 330-376-8725
Episcopal Church of our Savior 471 Crosby St., Akron, OH 44308. Phone: 330-535-9174
First Congregational Church of Akron 292 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44308. Phone: 330-253-5109
Kent United Church of Christ 1400 E. Main St., Kent, OH 44240. Phone: 330-673-9534
Unitarian Universalist of Akron 3300 Morewood Rd., Akron, OH 44333. Phone: 330-836-2206
Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent 228 Gougler Ave., Kent, OH 44240. Phone: 330-673-4247
Additional Ohio Resources
Greater Cleveland LGBT community links Cleveland has a wealth of resources for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transsexual residents, and this site has links to many of them. Read here about community centers, college centers, and community outreach programs for the Greater Cleveland LGBT community as well as their family and friends.
The Bayard Rustin LGBTQIA Resource Center The Bayard Rustin LGBTQIA Center is a non-profit organization based in New Jersey. They have partnered with the Akron AIDS Collaborative. Read here about their mission and the work they are doing.