Marion Area LGBTQ Coalition

06/19/2026

Juneteenth celebrates the date of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people of African descent located in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom. It was 2.5 years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed.

Today we honor freedom, resilience, and the continued fight for justice and equality.

12 Resources to honor Juneteenth and Pride
https://www.constructthepresent.com/blog/12-resources-to-honor-juneteenth-and-pride

06/18/2026

Did you know we're on Discord?

We have a virtual space for LGBTQIA+ folks and allies in our area! It's a good alternative to traditional social media platforms for those who want to get away from them.

✅ Chat with community
✅ Share resources
✅ Make connections

All from your phone or computer!

Follow this link! - https://discord.gg/9Scj86QtS

06/18/2026

Research indicates that Autistic individuals are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+ than the general population. Some studies suggesting rates can be as high as 15-35% in autistic individuals without intellectual disability.

The Autism Research Institute notes that autistic individuals may be more likely to experience gender dysphoria and explore different gender identities than their neurotypical peers.

Supporting Autistic LGBTQ+ Individuals:

Self-Advocacy:
Empowering autistic individuals, to advocate for themselves and lead the movement for change is crucial. They should be consulted in all aspects of care and advocacy.

Advocate for Inclusion:
It's crucial to create inclusive environments that validate and support the experiences of autistic LGBTQ+ individuals.

Challenges and Needs:
Autistic LGBTQ+ individuals face unique challenges, including potential discrimination, stigma, and difficulties in accessing appropriate healthcare and support.

Provide Resources:
Offer access to mental health services, education, and support groups that are specifically tailored to the needs of this community.

Promote Awareness:
Educate the community and healthcare professionals about the intersection of autism and LGBTQ+ identities to ensure appropriate and respectful care.

Combatting Stereotypes:
Efforts need to be made to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about both autistic individuals and LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those who identify at the intersection of both.

Prioritize Mental Health:
Address the increased risk of mental health challenges among autistic LGBTQ+ individuals, including anxiety, depression, and suici.dality.

Allyship:
Promoting allyship among neurotypical individuals and those who are not part of the LGBTQ+ community is essential for creating inclusive and supportive environments.

The Autistic community is beautiful, diverse and not a disease that needs to be cured. They certainly do not spell destruction for their families. Some of our greatest and most innovative minds were or are on the spectrum. Those on the spectrum deserve respect and affirming support.

Support:
https://autisticadvocacy.org/
https://icannetwork.online/autistic-lgbtqia/

Studies:
https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/autistic-individuals-are-more-likely-to-be-lgbtq

https://sparkforautism.org/discover_article/autism-lgbtq-identity/

06/17/2026

📢 Pride Update! 🏳️‍🌈 We know you’ve been wondering what the plan is for this year, and we are so excited to tell you that Pride is happening! However, just for this year, we are moving the main festivities to the fall.

Behind the scenes, our team has had a heavy few months dealing with major life transitions and some serious, life threatening health issues. To make sure we deliver the high-quality celebration our community deserves, we needed to hit the pause button on our usual spring planning and fundraising.

The good news? We aren't making you wait until fall for all the magic! We have been so incredibly grateful to work with with two amazing local small businesses to bring you some long-awaited events. The recent Big Gay Brunch with Brunch Please (Bucci's Italian Scratch Kitchen) was a massive success, and we can’t wait to dance the night away with you at the upcoming Pride Prom with Fable Bar & Co on June 27th.

Thank you for standing by us and wrapping our team in support. Stay tuned for fall dates coming soon! If you want to support us and donate to the Event fund you can do so here:

Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/marion-pride-sponsorship

You don't have to add the extra support to Zeffy, just put zero in there.

06/17/2026

Heyyyyy! Exciting news from our friends at Fable Bar & Co. Marion's first Pride Prom! We are so excited for this!!! Mark your calendars and get those dancing shoes ready!

Calling everyone's attention for Fable Bar & Co.'s first ever PRIDE PROM🏳️‍🌈🪩 Saturday, June 27th, kick off at 8pm!💃

Join us for a Come As You Are Pride Prom and dance the night away at Fable. Dress up or dress down🕺 Fly solo, grab a date, or grab a group💋 Drink and dance the night away with everyone and anyone, all are welcome always💖🌈

What to expect: Free* Prosecco glass for kick off at 8pm, drink deals, all your disco and anthem favs with a dance floor, self serve popcorn, and a chance to win PROM ROYALTY (a chance for two winners)✨💃

Enter our Pride Prom Royalty Raffle with a monetary value of $1 or more for a chance to win a Pride Prom Crown and a $50 Fable Bar & Co. gift card! (Must be present at Pride Prom in order to win. Crowning at 9pm)👑💐

*Prosecco pours will be sponsored by owners Lily & Sophie

06/16/2026

Thank you Ohio Health Marion Medical Campus for a great session today! You always come with great questions and discussion which always makes our jobs enjoyable and easy! Thank you for investing your time and hearts into our community and making it easier for your patients to feel safe and comfortable while seeking care!

06/15/2026

Wow, Marion... what a weekend! 🥂✨
We spent the weekend at Brunch Please , hosted by Bucci's Italian Scratch Kitchen for Marion's first-ever Big Gay Brunch—and it was a big gay success! We laughed, sang, cried, danced, and hugged it out. Best of all, we connected with so many amazing locals and shared vital community resources.

A few well-deserved thank yous:
To Alex, the Bucci’s staff, the resident staff g**s, and even "not-gay Brad": What an incredibly special event you’ve created with Brunch Please. Thank you for opening your doors to our community for a weekend of pure joy. You are all amazing thank you for bringing us along.

To Miss Gay Ohio 2026 Anissa Love & our very own Miss Toolbox Newcomer 2024 Patty Cakes: You both are the most beautiful humans. Thank you for your incredible performances, your passion, tenacity, love, leadership, and resistance. 🏳️‍⚧️💜🏳️‍🌈

To our wonderful guests: Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat, learn about our mission, or fill our donation box.

Did you know? We are 100% donor-funded and volunteer-led. Every single dollar you donate goes directly into community outreach, advocacy, support groups, social events, assistance programs, and LGBTQIA+ Safe Zone workshops.

We really are the little organization that could, and we love serving our people.

Happy Pride!!!!!!!! 🎉🏳️‍🌈

06/13/2026

We had so much fun at Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen Brunch Please's Big Gay Brunch Part 1!!!!! We love being able to to work with amazing local businesses who work to unite the community with love. We will be back tomorrow with resources and pride gear so if you are going, please say hello! HAPPY PRIDE!!!!

06/13/2026

06/11/2026

Our directors facilitated a safe zone training with staff at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Hardin County today! Thank you for the thoughtful conversation, great questions and some memorable laughs! Looking forward to another staff training in Marion next week!