Programs & Services
Our Programs and Services
The LGBTQ+ Community Center of Darke County offers programs and services focused on creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ people and allies, fostering a sense of community and connecting LGBTQ+ people and allies with health and wellness programs, community resources, and leadership development opportunities. We use a public health-based approach focusing on the “whole person”.
Advocacy Programs
Safe Space Training – July 10, 2024
The Center provides Safe Space training for individuals, agencies and employers in and around Darke County. Our first Safe Space Training will be held at the Center on Wednesday, July 10th from 10:30-12:00p. RSVP details coming soon! To request a training or speaker’s panel, please email us here.
SpeakOut Advocacy
The Center aims to raise awareness about the impact of laws and policies on the LGBTQ+ community, and advocate for policies and laws that promote and celebrate diversity, accessibility, equality and inclusion for LGBTQ+ people. The Center’s team produces press releases, OP/Eds, candidate forums, as well as other activities towards this end, and serves on a variety of coalitions and partnerships to provide a voice for the LGBTQ+ community. If you would like to become a part of advocacy team writing letters to the editor or OPEDs and articles to keep the community informed, please email us today.
Know Your Rights
We believe in empowering our community to know their rights.
- Employment – It is illegal to discriminate against a person in matters of employment based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Learn More/File a Complaint
- Housing – It is illegal to discriminate against a person based on their sexual orientation or gender identity in matters of housing – including renting, buying, selling or obtaining a loan or mortgage. Learn More/File a Complaint
- Public Accommodations – It is illegal to discriminate against a person based on their sexual orientation and gender identity in matters of public accommodations. Learn More/File a Complaint
- Marriage & Family – Same-sex marriage is legal in Ohio. LGBTQ+ people have adoption rights in Ohio. Learn More
- Transgender Affirming Laws – Transgender people have the right to affirm their name and gender on their driver’s license. Transgender people have the right to affirm their gender on their birth certificate. Learn More
- Bullying at Schools – Bullying based on sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal. Learn More
Learn About the Community
- LGBTQ+ 101
- LGBTQ+ History & Culture
- April – National Day of Silence
- June – LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Pride Commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Riots
- October 11th – National Coming Out Day
- October – National LGBTQ+ History Month
- November 20th – National Transgender Day of Remembrance
- Tips for Becoming an LGBTQ+ Ally
For Providers & Helping Fields
- Continuing Education for Professionals and Workplaces
Community Programs
LGBTQ+ Connect – Tuesdays from 6:00-7:00pm
Connect, chat and find peer support! LGBTQ+ Connect is a social and peer-to-peer support group for LGBTQ+ residents 18+ in and around Darke County, OH. The group is held at the Center on Tuesdays from 6:00-7:00pm. There’s also a Zoom option to chime in. If you would like to join the Zoom option, please email us at least 72 hours in advance so we can get you connected.
LGBTQ+ Up All Night – Fridays from 10:00pm-2:00am
Coffee, board games, karaoke, foosball, piano – Oh My! LGBTQ+ Up All Night is the Center’s weekly late night community connection for LGBTQ+ folks and allies 18+. It’s a safe place to connect, drink coffee, play games or engage in group activities like karaoke, dancing and more. LGBTQ+ Up All Night is held on Fridays from 10:00pm-2:00am.
Host Your Group
The Center is open to hosting LGBTQ+ groups, as well as LGBTQ+ affirming and inclusive groups that serve residents of Darke County and surrounding areas. If you would like to host your group at our Center, please contact us here.
Community Resource Directory
The LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Community Resource Directory provides links to LGBTQ+ groups, Pride Events, health and wellness services, LGBTQ+ Friendly businesses and other opportunities for LGBTQ+ residents in and around Darke County. Click here to view.
Health & Wellness
Community Health & Wellness Partners – 3rd Thursdays from 4:00-7:00pm
The Center hosts community health and wellness partners on the 3rd Thursdays of each month from 4:00-7:00pm. Partners commonly provide free HIV Testing, Hep C testing, links to PrEP and gender affirming care resources, addiction and mental health resources, Narcan, and more. Check our blog and Facebook page for the most up to date services offered at this month’s event. Our current health and wellness partners include:
If you are an agency that would like to partner with us to provide services to the LGBTQ+ and allied community at the Center, please contact us here.
Community Health & Wellness Links
We provide links to health and wellness resources that are LGBTQ+ affirming or provide LGBTQ+ specific programming in and around Darke County, OH.
Leadership Development
Leadership Development Opportunities
The Center researches and lists leadership development opportunities for LGBTQ+ community members of all ages. When possible, we work to secure scholarships for Darke County LGBTQ+ residents through our agency or point community members to the right places to apply. Check out our blog and Facebook page for the latest opportunities.