Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame, Author at Cleveland Scene

A collage featuring three people.

LGBTQ+ Ohioans Testify for the First Time and Encounter ‘Bullying’ From the Lawmakers Elected to Represent Them

They stepped up to respectfully participate in the legislative process and ran headfirst into the ‘truly shameful behavior’ of Republican Rep. Josh Williams.

by Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame May 4, 2026May 4, 2026

A man standing in front of Cleveland Heights city hall.

Jim Petras, Cleveland Heights’ First Out LGBTQ+ Mayor, Aims to Restore Trust in City Leadership

“Cleveland Heights is a city with so many civically minded people who care so much about the community and just want to offer their time and talents to help the city do well.”

by Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

The exterior of a building.

With Studio West 117’s Sudden Closure, Local LGBTQ+ Organizations Scramble to Find Alternate Plans

From food pantry distribution to dodgeball leagues to monthly meeting space, many LGBTQ+ groups now have to pivot their plans.

by Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame December 4, 2025December 4, 2025

A group of men.

Amidst Feelings of Betrayal and Hope, Cleveland’s Leather Annual Weekend (CLAW) Leaves Its Namesake City

CLAW announced that the 2026 event was moving to Columbus after they were unable to book a contract with any Cleveland-area hotels or venues.

by Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame November 4, 2025November 4, 2025

A person in front of the Cleveland skyline.

Cleveland Now Has a Full-Time LGBTQ+ Community Liaison, One of Only a Handful in the Country

Carey Gibbons is ready to build connections and create supportive services.

by Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame October 8, 2025October 8, 2025

A pride flag and the sign for the city of Lakewood.

Lakewood Drafts First-in-Ohio ‘Gender Freedom Policy’ in Response to Anti-Trans Attacks

Lawmakers aim to provide ‘reassurance and protection’ to transgender residents, families and drag performers.

by Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame October 2, 2025October 2, 2025

Brooklyn City Council Passes Pride Month Resolution in Close Vote; Mayor Declines to Sign

The Northeast Ohio community has been plagued over the past year by a string of incidents in which Pride flags have been vandalized or stolen.

by Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame June 11, 2025June 20, 2025

Ohio Republicans Introduce Bill to Designate Month Honoring Heterosexual Married Families

The group behind the legislation says that each family must have “a clear male leader and that leader must come from the family’s lineage.”

by Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame May 15, 2025June 19, 2025

Ohio’s Proposed Drag Ban is Back: Republicans Rebrand it the ‘Indecent Exposure Modernization Act’

Under HB 249, drag performers could face felony charges if a juvenile attends an ‘obscene’ performance.

by Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame May 2, 2025May 8, 2025

LGBTQ+ Org Receives $800,000 to Address Housing Insecurity in Northeast Ohio

Almost a third of all respondents to a recent LGBTQ+ community needs assessment have experienced housing insecurity in their life.

by Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame December 5, 2024May 8, 2025

As Anti-Trans Ads Rage On, There’s a Final Push to Motivate LGBTQ+ Ohioans to Go Vote

“Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community knows — unfortunately more than many other places — what it’s like to be truly attacked”

by Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame October 30, 2024January 7, 2025

A politician with supporters.

Sherrod Brown Launches LGBTQ+ Coalition to Support Re-Election Campaign

Brown cautions that one of the lessons he learned from the fight for reproductive freedom is that no gain of rights is permanent.

by Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame June 12, 2024October 23, 2024