COLUMBUS, OhioWCMH) — Ohio’s oldest organization supporting LGBTQ+ youth is preparing to expand its services outside of Columbus after raising more than $90,000 to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

The Kaleidoscope Youth Center, which provides housing and programming for LGBTQ+ youth, is expanding to establish services in Findlay starting in 2025, executive director Erin Upchurch told NBC4. The center has held discussions over the past year with stakeholders and business leaders, as well as surveys of local schools and colleges, to identify the needs of LGBTQ+ youth in Findlay.

“We know that in rural areas of the state, in general, services are non-existent or limited, which is why we’re really looking forward to expanding,” Upchurch said. “When you invest in young people, you invest in the future of an entire community. »

KYC also kicked off its anniversary celebration last month with a campaign to raise $30,000 in 30 days, an effort that culminated with a gala at the Columbus Museum of Art on October 10. Hosted by famous drag queens. Nina WestVirginia West and Anisa Love, the gala brought together a diverse crowd of community members who pushed the center’s fundraising total to more than $93,000.

The gala honored organizer Mike Maly with the Founder’s Award, given to an individual who demonstrates the same dedication to the community as the center’s founders. For 15 years, Maly has managed “Pride on High”, a paid viewing area for the Stonewall Columbus Pride Parade proceeds will benefit KYC and other LGBTQ+ organizations.

“(The gala) was a very diverse room, from race and ethnicity to identity to being queer, trans and non-binary, but also age diversity. We had the continuum there,” Upchurch said. “It was just a really beautiful picture of what’s possible when you bring people together.”

Chris Sutton, a volunteer at the center for several years, received the Andrew Levitt Spirit of Kindness Honor, an award named in honor of Nina West. whose off-stage name is Andrew Levitt. Black TransMen of Ohio, a group providing resources and mentorship to members of the Black trans and non-binary male community, received the Community Freedom Fighter Award from KYC.

KYC also grows after this launched a new wellness center behind the organization’s Welcome Center last year at 603 E. Town St., housing KYC’s behavioral health and community wellness teams. Inside, social workers provide counseling sessions, group activities, life skills development and more for queer youth.

Upchurch said it was essential to set up a platform for the community and support fundraising efforts. Ohio Statehouse advances several anti-LGBTQ+ bills. The executive director said amplifying the voices of local youth and the impact of “this harmful and truly discriminatory legislation” is a “bittersweet” challenge.

“It’s really difficult to go to hearings and hear the negative and truly cruel things that proponents of these bills are saying. It’s very dehumanizing,” Upchurch said. “But, on the other hand, we have the privilege of providing the actual services to the affected community.”

Ohio’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation includes House Bill 68, a measure that came into force in August banning gender-affirming care for minors and prohibiting the participation of trans female athletes in women’s sports. Laws like this have caused up to a 72% increase in suicide attempts among trans and non-binary youthshows a new study.

Bill 183 is also progressing towards ban schools from allowing trans students to use bathrooms this does not correspond to the sex they were assigned at birth. Another measure, House Bill 245, would ban “cabaret shows for adults,” which opponents say it would amount to a ban on drag queens in public.

A recent GLAAD report indicated that the rise of Anti-LGBTQ+ bills could cause a surge in hate speechlike when Nazi protesters disrupted drag strip at Land Grant Brewery in April to benefit KYC. The center received an outpouring of support after the event, raising about $50,000.

Since the passage of HB 68, Upchurch said KYC has seen an increase in young people ages 12 and under, as well as parents and guardians, seeking support. She implores other Ohioans to donate, volunteer, foster affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, and stand up for the community by speaking out.

“When we talk about an ‘all hands on deck moment,’ this is it. This is the time to speak out, this is the time to take a stand,” Upchurch said. “This is the time to really make sure we all create the Ohio we know is possible.”