The results are in, and we are proud to announce the completion of the Greater Mahoning Valley LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment!

Conducted through a partnership between Kent State University, The Center for Community Solutions, and Equality Ohio, and supported by local LGBTQ+ organizations, advocates, and community leaders throughout the region, this collaborative effort has provided important insight into the needs, concerns, and lived experiences of LGBTQ+ community members across Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, and Ashtabula counties.

Our outreach efforts included 49 community planning meetings, tabling at LGBTQ+ affirming events throughout the region, distributing flyers across the Greater Mahoning Valley, engaging community members through social media, and partnering with trusted local organizations and leaders. Through these efforts, the project collected 463 community survey responses, including 345 LGBTQ+ respondents and 118 LGBTQ+ allies, hosted 15 intersectionality listening sessions, and conducted 15 stakeholder interviews with LGBTQ+ community members and leaders across the region. We are deeply grateful for the openness, trust, and participation of everyone who shared their stories, experiences, and perspectives throughout this process. This work would not have been possible without the support and leadership of the community.

We hope the final report accurately reflect the priorities, strengths, challenges, and aspirations of LGBTQ+ residents across the Greater Mahoning Valley throughout many dimensions of community life, including health and wellness; religion and spirituality; education and literacy; housing, food, and basic needs; business and employment; safety and law enforcement; and recreation and leisure. Thank you for being an integral part of this important work!

Check out the reports and tools developed to help share what we found!

Full Community Report and Recommendations 
Dashboard
Link Tree
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