H.L. Comeriato

The moms risking arrest to protect gender-affirming care for trans youth The government wants to ban the care nationwide. Hospitals are shutting down treatment. Parents just want it all to stop.

Larissa, a therapist from D.C., recently spent 12 hours in a jail cell with five other people. There was no running water, since the sink wasn’t working. They were all fed once: a baloney sandwich per person.

She was there for her trans patients. They're being hurt by this administration, she said.

The DOJ Subpoenaed Patient Info From a Gender-Affirming Care Clinic. It Fought Back. A Washington judge quashed the Trump administration's attempt to subpoena patient information from the telehealth practice QueerDoc—but the fight may not be over.

Late last year I covered the case of QueerDoc, a small, telehealth gender-affirming care practice that received a subpoena from Trump's DOJ. The subpoena was blocked by a federal judge, but the DOJ appealed, and the 9th Circuit is hearing oral arguments today.

Conservative Christian lawmakers push for chaplains to serve as ‘substitute mothers and fathers’ in Ohio public schools Republican Bill inviting volunteer chaplains to minister in Ohio public schools could place LGBTQ+ students at risk

Conservative Christian lawmakers push for chaplains to serve as ‘substitute mothers and fathers’ in Ohio public schools.

Republican Bill inviting volunteer chaplains to minister in Ohio public schools could place LGBTQ+ students at risk.

✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social

She’d Never Changed Her Gender Marker. Kansas Invalidated Her License Anyway. — Assigned A trans Kansas resident recently changed her name but not her gender marker on her license, fearing what Kansas may do if she did. The Kansas DMV still flagged her ID.

Kansas is invalidating trans residents' licenses even if they HAVEN'T changed their gender markers, according to this reporting from @natezuke.bsky.social @assignedmedia.org:

www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...

Understanding the New Kansas Law Targeting Transgender People - ACLU of Kansas This resource will be further developed as we have more information. If you or a loved one is impacted by Senate Bill 244 becoming a law, contact us by visiting aclu.org/KS_SB244 or by clicking the link in our bio. We want to hear from you.

Last week, Kansas instituted a new bathroom ban in government facilities and prevented trans people from updating the gender markers on their licenses.

While we're filing a lawsuit to defeat this transphobic law, here's the latest.

Parents have right to know about student gender transitions at school, Supreme Court finds California law aimed to provide a supportive environment for LGBTQ students at school. The Supreme Court said that’s not as important as allowing parents to direct the upbringing of their children.

California law aimed to provide a supportive environment for LGBTQ students at school. The Supreme Court said that’s not as important as allowing parents to direct the upbringing of their children.

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.

LGBTQ+ Athletes Won 11 Medals at 2026 Milan Olympics More than one-third of LGBTQ+ athletes walked away with a medal.

LGBTQ+ Athletes Won 11 Medals at 2026 Milan Olympics

‘They better take away duct tape’: Trans men say they’ll keep binding despite FDA crackdown Chest binders are a common first step to explore gender identity. Restricting them could push people back to unsafe DIY methods.

This story was fun to write bc it’s mostly older trans guys being like “we used to bind uphill both ways in the snow”

But in all seriousness, binding used to be the wild west. Duct tape, electrical tape, ACE bandages. Now we have good products. But the FDA is cracking down on those. Read more:

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...

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.

Queer farmers are growing better futures | Xtra Magazine For generations, LGBTQ2S+ people fled rural areas. Now, they’re putting down roots, farming with a focus on community and the environment

The phrase “small, organic, community-supported farms, run by trans and queer people” either invites “DUH,” or an eye-roll from conservatives. @dear-gazelle.bsky.social breaks down why queer folks are joining, and changing, agriculture.

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?"

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.

✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social

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

Tear Gas Is Way More Dangerous Than Police Let On In the middle of a respiratory pandemic, law enforcement agencies have used tear gas in especially dangerous ways. The chemical agent also seeps into homes, contaminates food, furniture, skin and surf...

Tear gas is banned in international warfare, yet classified as a “riot control agent” that law enforcement can use for crowd control.

“It just doesn’t work well, and it hits the weakest people the most, and causes the most complications in them,” an anesthesiology professor at Duke University said.

Several hundred people gathered at Public Square in downtown Cleveland Friday afternoon as part of the “ICE Out!” nationwide general strike.

➡️ thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/31/l...

Fear of ICE is keeping pregnant immigrants in Minnesota from critical care Health care providers in Minnesota said pregnant patients are having more complications linked to stress. But fear of immigration agents is keeping them from prenatal care.

Six providers in the Twin Cities area said no-show rates have increased for prenatal visits. Some patients, afraid of encountering law enforcement officials, are changing their delivery plans to opt for home births — sometimes without communicating it to providers.

Recording and Documenting Police and Federal Agents The First Amendment protects your right to take photos and videos of law enforcement officers performing their duties in public. This applies to ICE agents, police, FBI, National Guard troops, and any other government officials. If you're not under arrest, a law enforcement officer needs a warrant to confiscate your device or to view its contents without your consent.

The First Amendment fully protects our right to record ICE agents, police, FBI, National Guard troops, and other government officials performing their duties in public.

Know your rights while filming, how to protect your digital privacy, and what to do if you're stopped or arrested for recording.

Fear of ICE is keeping pregnant immigrants in Minnesota from critical care Health care providers in Minnesota said pregnant patients are having more complications linked to stress. But fear of immigration agents is keeping them from prenatal care.

Citing fear of ICE, pregnant immigrants in Minnesota are

-skipping prenatal care
-requesting home births, even when not medically advised
-going w/o adequate food

Many are experiencing complications providers say can be stress-onset: diabetes, high blood pressure, and even water breaking early

Leaders urge LGBTQ+ Ohioans to protest ICE at national general strike rallies across the state ‘Queer people need to show up because this is all connected.’

Leaders urge LGBTQ+ Ohioans to protest ICE at national general strike rallies across the state.

‘Queer people need to show up because this is all connected.’

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/29/l...

Several hundred people showed up to participate in the national general strike rally at Public Square in downtown Cleveland.

Demonstrators changed Ohio’s famous call-and-response chant “OH-IO” to “OH-ICE OUT” as the state prepares for ICE agents to arrive in the city of Springfield early next week.

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.

PLEASE SHARE WIDELY!

HIRING: 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...

"A Massive Victory": DOJ Drops Demands for Medical Records of LA Trans Minors Though a great relief to parents of trans youth, the subpoena is not entirely dissolved.

"A Massive Victory": DOJ Drops Demands for Medical Records of LA Trans Minors

Network shutdown leaves Wisconsin lawmakers meeting outside of public view The shutdown of Wisconsin’s version of C-SPAN amid a shortfall of fundraising has left the state as perhaps the only one in the country where its legislative floor debates are not being broadcast.

The shutdown of Wisconsin's version of C-SPAN amid a shortfall of fundraising has left the state as perhaps the only one in the country where its legislative floor debates are not being broadcast.

Out LGBTQ+ candidate Stephanie Thomas announces bid for Cuyahoga County Council Thomas will campaign on rent control, senior services, labor relations and open office hours in District 3.

Out LGBTQ+ candidate Stephanie Thomas announces bid for Cuyahoga County Council. Thomas to campaign on rent control, senior services, labor relations and open office hours in District 3.

✏️ @hcomeriato.bsky.social

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/20/o...

Amid Protests, City Club of Cleveland Hosts Center for Christian Virtue Amid Protests, City Club of Cleveland Hosts Center for Christian Virtue - Cleveland Scene

Amid protests, City Club of Cleveland hosts Center for Christian Virtue www.clevescene.com/news/clevela...

The City Club of Cleveland hosted the president of an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group Friday following weeks of public backlash, drawing dozens of protesters.

My latest for @thebuckeyeflame.com

➡️ thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/16/t...

Cleveland City Club hosts Center for Christian Virtue The free speech forum hosted the president of an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group Friday following weeks of backlash, drawing dozens of protestors.

The City Club of Cleveland hosts Center for Christian Virtue amid protests. Here’s what we saw inside AND outside the forum.

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/16/t...

ICE violence against women is increasingly visible — and largely untracked The killing of Renee Nicole Good — and the viral video that followed — underscores the forceful tactics long used against marginalized women.

Gender-based violence researchers told @19thnews.org that the widespread visibility of physical violence against women in public spaces does not happen in a vacuum and goes hand-in-hand with the policies and messaging coming from the administration. 19thnews.org/2026/01/ice-...

New Ohio research examines 'predatory' nature of alcohol ads targeting LGBTQ+ Ohioans LGBTQ+ people already face poor health outcomes related to alcohol. Targeted marketing could be making it worse.

New Ohio research examines ‘predatory’ nature of alcohol ads targeting LGBTQ+ Ohioans.

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/13/n...