Important Update from LOVEboldly

Friday, September 5, 2025

Dear Friends,

We are reminded in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 that “We are afflicted in every way but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed.” It’s definitely not melodramatic to feel afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down as LGBTQIA+ people in September 2025 in the United States. The current administration has launched and driven others to cooperate in legal and physical assaults on our rights and the rights of other already marginalized communities. These attacks remind and reinforce that our struggles are intersectional and our liberation is collective. 

At those intersections, we’re witnessing major cuts to federal and state funding for health care, housing, food, and other basic necessities for life. This strain is diverting private philanthropy from programmatic, political, and advocacy organizations. In recent months we’ve watched nonprofits of all sizes announce the need to scale back operations and/or lay off staff members. Unfortunately, LOVEboldly is no longer able to remain an exception. 

As an organization, we feel strongly that we need to be upfront about the impact the current moment will have on our capacity and our programming while being absolutely clear that LOVEboldly will continue to operate, albeit at a reduced level. Below is a partial list of our priorities which will remain unchanged; resources and programs which will be scaled back; and resources which will be discontinued effective immediately.

Priorities - These programs and resources are unique to LOVEboldly 

• Website and all the resources which live there including: 

  • List of Affirming Churches in Ohio

  • Words Can Crush

• Weekly Monday Moments

• “Coming Out Christian” Podcast (the first episode of Season 2 drops on Sunday!)

• The Church Partner Program

• LOVEboldly’s partnerships with Stonewall Columbus, Honesty for Ohio Education, and other organizations

• LOVEboldly’s ongoing work on-the-ground in Cincinnati

• The annual Interfaith Pride Service during Pride Month

• Scheduled programs on September 11 (“Queering the Message”) and October 11 (“Brunch with a Queer Bishop”)

Scaling Back

• Ben will become an hourly employee and will be stepping back his hours while continuing to serve as Executive Director.

• The Bill Tracker will stop following federal legislation and focus solely on Ohio legislation.

• New in-person, hybrid, and virtual programming will be strategically organized and will lean more heavily on collaboration with other organizations. 

Discontinuing

• The weekly Action Alert email will end and only be sent when there are actions LOVEboldly is taking or when there is an update to bills at the Ohio General Assembly.

Friends, we've asked the question before: What would happen if LOVEboldly didn't exist? A year ago you answered with over $8,000 of funding and donations that kept us going in that moment. But LOVEboldly is closer than ever to going dark forever. If you've been waiting to give, now is the time.

If you feel so moved to contribute to the mission and ministry of LOVEboldly today, you can do so by clicking here or visiting www.loveboldly.net/donate. 

<Deep breath.> Ok.

While this news is undoubtedly as frustrating and saddening to receive as it is for us to convey, we are so thankful for your support and witness over the years. We pray you will join in continuing to create spaces where LGBTQIA+ people can flourish in Christianity and beyond.

Faithfully,

Ben and the LOVEboldly Team