Out OHIO programs offer OHIO faculty, staff opportunities to connect to the LGBTQ+ community

Out OHIO, an affinity organization for employees of Ohio University focused on welcoming and connecting LGBTQ+ staff and faculty, as well as their partners, has planned several upcoming social and networking opportunities:

• Friday, Aug. 18, from 4 – 6 p.m. – Social gathering at Jackie O’s Taproom and Brewery. The LGBT Center will provide light snacks and appetizers from local restaurants, including some vegan and gluten free options. Jackie O’s Taproom and Brewery is wheelchair accessible and has outdoor shaded tables.
• Friday, Sept. 1, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – The first monthly drop-in get-together on the first Friday of the month at the Front Room Coffee House (on the balcony, weather permitting.) The Front Room is located on the fourth floor of Baker University Center, centrally located on the Athens campus; the building has all-gender, bigger-than-ADA-standard restrooms on the first and third floors and multistall gendered restrooms on all floors, lactation room on the third floor, changing tables in the all-gender restrooms, a parking garage and lot with paid parking. Baker University Center is on most of the campus and regional bus routes and has power doors at the first floor Oxbow Trail entrance and fourth floor Park Place entrance. 
• Sept. 23, from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. - Out In the Woods at Strouds Run State Park. Employees and their families and friends can meet for walking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, and/or kayaking. Strouds Run features a wheelchair accessible trail.

Out OHIO is also planning in-person, hybrid, and online gaming, trivia, and more. The organization emphasizes inclusive excellence and is working on offering a wide range of opportunities for all interested employees to connect, including employees working remotely, on all of our campuses, disabled employees, and employees with caregiving duties, and is committed to offering a variety of programming to meet the community’s needs and interests. 

Staff and faculty interested in connecting with Out OHIO can get in touch by emailing OutOHIO@ohio.edu. Staff and faculty interested in planning or hosting an event are also welcome to join monthly planning meetings in person and on TEAMS. Faculty and staff are invited to email OutOHIO@ohio.edu or talk with Out OHIO planning team members at any of the upcoming social events,