LGBTQ+ Support Groups
• Out Support Medina - OutSupport's mission is to promote the health and well-being of LGBTQ persons and their loved ones through support, education and advocacy. Enlighten the public, end discrimination, and secure equal rights.
• Outbreath - OutBreath aims to provide a welcoming and friendly environment for those of all gender/sexual orientations (the LGBT community and allies) who are interested in practicing mindfulness meditation.
• PFLAG - We are families, friends, allies, and LGBTQ people united together and committed to advancing equality through peer support, education, and advocacy.
• Greenleaf Family Center - Teen LGBTQ+ Support Group - Adolescents (13-17) can join us every other Wednesday from 6:00pm until 7:30pm beginning October 5, 2022 through December 14, 2022 For more information, or to schedule a brief intake interview, parents can email Mike Finklestein, LPCC at fmichael@greenleafctr.org.
LGBTQ+ Community Resources
• Bayard Rustin Center - An Afrocentric space for LGBTQ+ people to gather and receive assistance.
LGBTQ+ Senior Support
• SAGE - The senior program is social support group which was formed at The LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland in August of 2003.
HIV+
• Center for AIDS Research and Education (C.A.R.E.) - Developed in 1988, Summa Health’s C.A.R.E. Center is designed to meet the unique healthcare needs of patients with HIV/AIDS in our community. The center is staffed with HIV/AIDS-certified nurses, physicians board-certified in HIV medicine and/or infectious diseases, psychologists who are experienced in working with HIV/AIDS patients and HIV-certified pharmacists.
These individuals are dedicated to optimizing our patients’ medical, emotional, socioeconomic and psychological wellness.
• HIV Infections | Cleveland Clinic - The Infectious Disease Department provides patient-centered visits for those who are at risk for or diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. This multi-disciplinary team of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, case managers, and medical assistants work to provide specialized care to those with HIV/AIDS. The clinic provides comprehensive care for persons living with HIV/AIDS, confidential screening for sexually transmitted infection, and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
• SSOULE Group - The SSOULE (Survivors Sharing Our Unique Life Experiences) Group is an HIV support group in Summit County.
• Equitas Health Support Groups - Living positively support groups.
• Living in Recovery w/HIV - Living in Recovery with HIV is an AA 12 Step Meeting especially for men & women in recovery who are also HIV positive. (Monday 7:30pm, address in link)
Trans Support
• Trans Ohio - Trans Ohio serves the Ohio transgender and ally communities by providing services, education, support and advocacy which promotes and improves the health, safety and life experience of the Ohio transgender individual and community. TransOhio has compiled a list of counselors, endocrinologists, general practitioners, and surgeons who accept transgender patients/clients.
• Margie’s Hope - Margie’s Hope was founded in 2011 by Jacob Nash. Our history and purpose has been to enrich the lives of transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive people in his community. Margie’s Hope offers resources and support through our community programs and our not-for-profit resale store, Margie’s Closet.
• Camp Lilac - Our mission is to provide a safe, welcoming space for transgender youth to be themselves in a positive, supportive, youth-focused environment.
• Trans Alive - TransAlive is a support group that exists to build respect and understanding for all gender issues.
• Trans Support Alliance - Trans Support Alliance is an all-inclusive group whose primary goal is to support, uplift and educate each other about solutions to the issues that face the trans community and allies.
• Trans*Fusion - Trans*Fusion is a group on the Kent State University main campus for trans-identified students and students that are allies to the transgender community.
All are welcome!
• Safer Sex for Trans Bodies - A safer sex guide for transgender and gender expansive people, and for our partners and lovers.
Resources
At CANAPI, we’re proud to collaborate with other community groups and organizations that share our vision and match our passion.
When we can’t offer a specific support service ourselves, we’re proud to refer our clients to outside community resources that can assist LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV/AIDS find the programs, resources, and support they need to thrive.
Healthcare
• Akron Pride Clinic - At Summa Health, we provide high-quality, compassionate care for all patients regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We understand that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ+) community has unique health needs and deserves equal, respectful and knowledgeable care.
• AxessPointe - AxessPointe Community Health Centers is a nonprofit, federally qualified health center with multiple locations throughout Summit and Portage counties.
Survivors of Sexual Assault & Other Violence
• Hope & Healing Rape Crisis Center - Hope & Healing offers a variety of support groups to survivors of sexual violence and intimate partner violence.
• Victim Assistance Program - Victim Assistance Program empowers the community to restore lives impacted by crisis, violence, and tragedy.
PrEP
• PrEP Basics - PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is medicine people at risk for HIV take to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. Click the link for more info about PrEP and how to get started.
Discrimination
• Akron United - The Akron United ordinance has been proposed by the Akron City Council to protect the civil rights of historically vulnerable groups from discrimination.
• Fair Housing - Fair Housing Contact Service (FHCS) is a local, non-profit, community-based organization that addresses issues of housing discrimination, tenant-landlord concerns, and provides housing counseling for home buyers and homeowners.
• Community Legal Aid - Through legal advocacy, we transform the lives of those in poverty to increase opportunities, fairness, and stability, for a stronger community and justice for all.
Counseling Services
• Navigate Counseling & Consultation Services - Navigate Counseling and Consultation Services provides mental health services to individuals, couples, and families in the greater Akron, OH area and beyond. We also provide continuing education and consultation for counselors and other helping professionals seeking to improve competence in working with a variety of presenting concerns and populations.
Substance Misuse
• LGBTQ+ Friendly 12 Step Meetings - A more specific list of LGBTQ+ friendly NA and AA meetings around Ohio.
• B. Riley Sober House - Established in 2016, B. Riley Sober House in Cleveland caters entirely to LGBTQ people and allies who are experiencing problems with substance misuse. Services include Residential Treatment, Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP), support groups, and sexual health programming.
• IBH - IBH Addiction Recovery offers persons with alcohol and drug addiction the opportunity to restore hope and gain skills for a lifetime of sobriety. IBH builds its treatment philosophy around four core values: Dignity, Community, Stewardship (Outcomes), and Spirituality.
• Project DAWN - Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided with Naloxone) focuses on overdose prevention. Participants learn how to recognize overdoses and administer Naloxone (NARCAN).
• There are several recovery programs and facilities in Summit and Portage Counties, including detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient programs, sober living, and counseling.