Originally published by Kent State Today
The article reports on the findings of the Greater Cleveland LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment, led by Kent State University's College of Public Health in collaboration with local organizations. Over 2,000 individuals were surveyed, with 23 key stakeholder interviews and 178 participants in listening sessions. The assessment revealed critical insights into the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain counties across seven key domains: health, religion, education, housing, employment, safety, and recreation.
Key findings include gaps in health insurance coverage, housing insecurity, workplace discrimination, and a lack of LGBTQ+ sex education. The top priorities identified were fostering inclusiveness, enacting anti-discrimination laws, and promoting actionable solutions to empower the LGBTQ+ community. The project, supported by major funders such as the Cleveland Foundation, highlights the need for targeted interventions and community-driven research to address systemic inequities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the region.
The initiative's goal is to inform local investments and programming to improve the quality of life for LGBTQ+ individuals, with findings publicly available online.