My name is Kevin Moran and I am the Founder and President of To Love And Inspire, a local non-profit organization with a mission of celebrating queer pride and fighting for LGBTQIA+ acceptance, rights, and visibility. We aim to achieve our mission by advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights, educating about LGBTQIA+ issues, connecting with fellow organizations, supporting LGBTQIA+ persons, and fighting for LGBTQIA+ acceptance and visibility.
LGBTQIA+ persons within Wood County and the greater Northwest Ohio area are in need of support from their families, their friends, their loved ones, and their community. I know because I lived this experience. As a 2013 graduate of Eastwood High School, I struggled with accepting my identity and feeling comfortable within my humanity due to my fears that my loved ones, friends, and greater community would not accept me. Thus, I experienced extreme anxiety, persistent depression, and thoughts of suicide for several years. For me, it was easier to sit with my pain than it was to face my identity within my community. I was scared of being ostracized and physically and emotionally harmed because of my sexual orientation.
Unfortunately, stories like mine are all too common within the greater Northwest Ohio area. While progress is being made thanks to the advancement of local advocacy organizations including To Love And Inspire, Equality Toledo, and Equitas Health, there is still much room for improvement, particularly within rural areas. If we collectively unite to support one another, including our LGBTQIA+ family, we can create an environment where all people are comfortable in outwardly living their truths, improving the health of our community and empowering all persons to achieve their greatest potential.
The current divisive political and social climates are decreasing the advances of the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly in rural communities. A culture of fear is being created where LGBTQIA+ persons are feeling increasingly isolated, scared, and vulnerable. In fact, according to the Human Rights Campaign, 42% of LGBTQIA+ youth say the community in which they live is not accepting of LGBTQIA+ people and 68% of LGBTQIA+ youth say they hear negative messages about being LGBTQIA+ from their elected leaders. Thus, both youth and adults are experiencing increasing feelings of hatred.
All persons, regardless of their identity and demographic, are deserving of acceptance and dignity. Our goal at To Love And Inspire is not to change the political mindsets of the community as we respect everyone’s beliefs; rather, we simply envision a local culture where all persons are accepted, no matter who they love, how they appear, or how they feel.
Therefore, we are seeking donations to support our achievement of our work. First, we are in need of funds of $300 to secure the establishment of our website for 2020. Our website is one of the primary methods of reaching local LGBTQIA+ persons as 73% of LGBTQIA+ youth say they are more honest about themselves online than they are in the real world. This year, we’ve reached more than 10,000 persons through our website with a steady increase. Further, our social media outlets have connected with more than 350,000 people this year alone.
If you are able and interested, we’d greatly appreciate your financial support in assisting us with the achievement of our mission. Donations can be made securely online at the following website: https://pages.donately.com/tlaiorg. We will also be happy to make additional arrangements for the donation method that works best for you. You can contact me directly at kevin@tlaiorg.org.
Our goal is not to make money; rather, our goal is to protect and empower the local LGBTQIA+ community to ensure our loved ones are safe to be themselves.
Thank you for your time and consideration of your donation. We are deeply grateful for your assistance with our mission. Should you have any questions or concerns, I am available anytime at kevin@tlaiorg.org.
Thank you once again and thank you for empowering our LGBTQIA+ community through your love, acceptance, and respect.
Kevin Moran
Pemberville
