The Greater Cleveland LGBTQ+ community is set to take a major step forward with the launch of the Greater Cleveland LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment in 2023. Led by Kent State University's College of Public Health, this inter-organizational initiative is the first of its kind in the Greater Cleveland area and aims to identify and address the most pressing needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Over 100 local community organizations will be participating in the study, with the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland serving as the primary community partner.
The study will include a comprehensive community survey, intersectionality listening sessions, and key stakeholder interviews, to gather input and feedback from local members of the LGBTQ+ community in Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, and Geauga counties. These activities will be inclusive and reflective of the diverse voices and perspectives within the LGBTQ+ community. The results of the study will be used to develop strategies for addressing the identified needs and improving the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in Greater Cleveland.
The study will cover several critical areas including:
- Health and Wellness,
- Religion and Spirituality,
- Education and Literacy,
- Housing, Food, and Basic needs,
- Business, Employment, and Commerce,
- Safety and Law Enforcement, and
- Recreation and Leisure.
If you're part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, you can help make this study a success in Greater Cleveland by getting involved and providing input. The study team encourages members of the LGBTQ+ community to participate in the subcommittee meetings where surveys, listening sessions, and interview plans are developed with local input to make sure that the voices of the community are heard and reflected in the study results.
For more information or to get involved, click the button below and submit your information via our webform and a member of the research team will reach out to you. Together, we can work towards creating a better future for the LGBTQ+ community in Greater Cleveland.
