Ken Schneck

He’s 23 and in an Ohio Prison for Exposing Someone to HIV - Even Though He Couldn’t Transmit the Virus Ohio has six laws that criminalize living with HIV leading to at least 200 prosecutions in recent years. Caymir Weaver is one of them.

Today is HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day. Here in Ohio, there are still six laws on the books that criminalize living with HIV.

Definitely read this piece we did with @themarshallproject.org on one Ohioan imprisoned for exposing someone to HIV...even though he couldn't transmit the virus.

Ohio school district bans ‘Hate Has No Home Here’ poster over inclusion of rainbow, trans flags Little Miami School Board deemed the flags to be "sexuality content."

Ohio school district bans ‘Hate Has No Home Here’ poster over inclusion of rainbow, trans flags.

Little Miami School Board deemed the flags to be "sexuality content."

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/28/l...

Bipartisan Ohio hate-crimes bill excludes transgender people from protections Sexual orientation is also not mentioned anywhere in the bill.

Bipartisan Ohio hate-crimes bill excludes transgender people from protections.

Sexual orientation is also not mentioned anywhere in the bill.

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/27/o...

Students at an Ohio private Christian university hosted a drag show for over 10 years. This year could be the last. University of Findlay’s LGBTQ+ student organizers worry Ohio’s proposed drag ban would jeopardize their main source of funding.

Students at an Ohio private Christian university hosted a drag show for over 10 years. This year could be the last.

University of Findlay’s LGBTQ+ student organizers worry Ohio’s proposed drag ban would jeopardize their main source of funding.

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/26/u...

An Ohio lawmaker claimed ‘parental alienation’ denying accusations of sexual misconduct with a minor [COMMENTARY] Two other Ohio Republican lawmakers are looking to write the term into Ohio Revised Code to protect parents who reject their trans children.

An Ohio lawmaker claimed ‘parental alienation’ denying accusations of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Two other Ohio Republican lawmakers are looking to write the term into Ohio Revised Code to protect parents who reject their trans children.

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/25/o...

What if the word 'homosexual' was never meant to be in the Bible?: Documentary screening and discussion Geauga SOGI to host documentary screening on the 'origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians.'

What if the word 'homosexual' was never meant to be in the Bible?

Geauga SOGI to host documentary screening on the 'origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians.'

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/25/w...

Cincinnati’s Midwestern Lesbian celebrates anniversary, expands pop-up events to other Ohio cities Cincinnati LGBTQ+ events company announces plans to expand while celebrating the second anniversary of their 'Sapphic Sips' series.

Midwestern Lesbian has more than 50,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok – and a new brick-and-mortar office in Cincinnati.

Now founder Kelsey Ference says the LGBTQ+ events company is ready to bring pop-up events to LGBTQ+ Ohioans across the state.

AIDS Walk Ohio Returns to Columbus on April 18 Walkers, runners, and spectators will gather to raise funds, awareness for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment programs

AIDS Walk Ohio Returns to Columbus on April 18.

Walkers, runners, and spectators will gather to raise funds, awareness for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment programs.

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/24/a...

Organizers cancel Ashtabula Pride for 2026; vow to return stronger in 2027 The Northeast Ohio celebration was canceled due to a lack of physical support and financial backing.

Organizers cancel Ashtabula Pride for 2026; vow to return stronger in 2027.

The Northeast Ohio celebration was canceled due to a lack of physical support and financial backing.

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/18/o...

This News is So Gay (2/18/26): Celebrating Some Major Queer Media Milestones Featuring: Jason Villemez (Philadelphia Gay News) and Jake Wittich (Windy City Times).

NEW PODCAST EPISODE!

This News is So Gay (2/18/26): Celebrating Some Major Queer Media Milestones

Featuring: Jason Villemez (@phillygaynews.bsky.social) and @jakewittich.bsky.social (@windycitytimes.com).

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/18/t...

Rural Ohio church offers $5,000 reward for information on Pride flag arson on New Year’s Day Lacking evidence, police consider case closed.

HELP NEEDED! - Rural Ohio church offers $5,000 reward for information on Pride flag arson on New Year’s Day.

Lacking evidence, police consider case closed.

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/17/r...

Meet the out Franklin County judge vying for a second term We spoke with Judge George Leach of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas about his re-election bid.

Meet the out Franklin County judge vying for a second term.

We spoke with Judge George Leach of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas about his re-election bid..

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/16/m...

An Open letter to the Columbus Blue Jackets: Speak up for the least of those in our community A plea for our local hockey team to speak out on USA Hockey's decision to ban trans players from programs.

An Open letter to the Columbus Blue Jackets: Speak up for the least of those in our community.

A plea for our local hockey team to speak out on USA Hockey’s decision to ban trans players from programs.

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/14/a...

HIRING: The Buckeye Flame seeks two Reporting Fellows to cover LGBTQ+ Ohioans of color – The Buckeye Flame Pay for the six-month fellowship is $15,000 and applications are due by noon on February 13.

LAST FEW HOURS TO APPLY! - thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/26/r...

Worked with @hcomeriato.bsky.social and @kenschneck.bsky.social to get this one out.

There's a lot of parts to this bill. We tried our best to break it down, show how legislators discussed it, and the resulting response from LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations and leaders.

Give it a read.

Ohio Republicans introduce bill to protect parents who reject their trans children A group of Ohio Republican lawmakers introduced a far-reaching bill aimed at “protecting” parents who do not affirm their trans children.

Ohio Republicans introduce bill to protect parents who reject their trans children.

Republican sponsor: ‘We’re fighting a war here.’

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/12/o...

Citing ‘significant financial challenges,’ Colors+ Youth Center closes their brick-and-mortar space Northeast Ohio LGBTQ+ “safe space” will continue to host programming at a church, a library and online.

Many thanx to @kenschneck.bsky.social and @thebuckeyeflame.com for highlighting the challenges facing queer youth centers while shedding light on our resilience as we find ways to keep moving forward and to serve our young folx and their families! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

#queersky #Cleveland #Ohio

Citing ‘significant financial challenges,’ Colors+ Youth Center closes their brick-and-mortar space Northeast Ohio LGBTQ+ “safe space” will continue to host programming at a church, a library and online.

Citing ‘significant financial challenges,’ Colors+ Youth Center closes their brick-and-mortar space.

Northeast Ohio LGBTQ+ “safe space” will continue to host programming at a church, a library and online.

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/12/c...

Columbus Archery offers LGBTQ+ Ohioans healing, community and a new target 'This is a sport that was given to us by Black and brown people so long ago, so why aren't more Black and brown people doing this?’

BULLSEYE! Columbus Archery offers LGBTQ+ Ohioans healing, community and a new target 🎯

"This is a sport that was given to us by Black and brown people so long ago, so why aren’t more Black and brown people doing this?"

A trans candidate in rural Ohio lost two elections, was doxxed, and she’s running again in 2026 Arienne Chidlrey failed in 2023 to unseat a Republican incumbent in rural Ohio. But that's not stopping her in 2026.

"I am in the most red district in rural Ohio, and we are fighting like hell."

A trans candidate in rural Ohio lost two elections and was doxxed. She’s running again for "a better path forward."

✏️ @bjodway.com via @reportforamerica.bsky.social

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/10/o...

HIRING: The Buckeye Flame seeks two Reporting Fellows to cover LGBTQ+ Ohioans of color – The Buckeye Flame Pay for the six-month fellowship is $15,000 and applications are due by noon on February 13.

LAST WEEK TO APPLY! - The Buckeye Flame seeks two Reporting Fellows to cover LGBTQ+ Ohioans of color.

Pay for the six-month fellowship is $15,000 and applications are due by noon on February 13.

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/26/r...

Classic. Two people want their sorority to exclude people, then sue when they get excluded.

Ohio Republican lawmakers introduce bill to designate ‘President Donald Trump Freedom Highway’ Hours into his second term, Trump signed executive orders to restrict freedoms of trans Americans

A Republican bill to designate "President Donald Trump Freedom Highway" has now been assigned to an Ohio House Committee.

thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/12/28/p...

Lawsuit challenging sorority’s right to allow transgender members moves to Ohio federal court Former Kappa Kappa Gamma members say they were wrongly removed for breaching sorority bylaws after protesting transgender inclusion.

Lawsuit challenging sorority’s right to allow transgender members moves to Ohio federal court.

Former Kappa Kappa Gamma members say they were wrongly removed for breaching sorority bylaws after protesting transgender inclusion.

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/09/k...

NEW EPISODE OF THIS NEWS IS SO GAY!

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/04/t...

Central Outreach Wellness Center has moved into a new and improved Columbus space. "This new location helps us show up fully for Columbus, today and for years to come."

Central Outreach Wellness Center has moved into a new and improved Columbus space.

“This new location helps us show up fully for Columbus, today and for years to come.”

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/05/c...

How one Ohio sexologist is helping people reclaim pleasure on purpose ‘Every human wanting to experience orgasm should have the best of all of them, each and every time. Solo or otherwise.’

‘Every human wanting to experience orgasm should have the best of all of them, each and every time. Solo or otherwise.’

How one Ohio sexologist is helping people reclaim pleasure on purpose.

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/06/h...

FOLKS! Next Thursday (2/12) we have a charity spin class at Harness Cycle in Cleveland at 7pm. ALL LEVELS WELCOME and all proceeds to benefit The Buckeye Flame, Ohio's LGBTQ+ newsroom.

Please BOOK YOUR BIKE for a SUPER fun and SUPER gay class!

rainbowbikesonfirevol3.eventbrite.com

The Map of Us: The LGBTQ+ Media Mapping podcast Hosted by Dana Piccoli of News is Out, the series features editors and publishers from LGBTQ+ outlets across the country sharing how they keep their communities informed and visible in a rapidly chang...

@thebuckeyeflame.com is proud to partner with @newsisout.bsky.social to bring you: 'The Map of Us'.

'The Map of Us' is a limited podcast series about the state of LGBTQ+ media in the United States. All 7 episodes now available!

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/03/t...

This News is So Gay (2/4/26): Navigating Protests and Our Journalist Colleagues Being Arrested Featuring: Dana Piccoli (News is Out), John Parker (The Gaily Show) and Joe Reberkenny (The Washington Blade)

NEW PODCAST EPISODE!

This News is So Gay (2/4/26): Navigating Protests and Our Journalist Colleagues Being Arrested.

Featuring: @danapiccoli.com (@newsisout.bsky.social), @johnparkerwrites.bsky.social (@thegailyshow.org) Joe Reberkenny (@washblade.bsky.social).

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/02/04/t...