--- title: "Home" description: "skip render: ucaddon_list_marquee Northwest Ohio · since 2005 Everyone deserves to belong. You belong here.Equality Toledo is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a more inclusive Northwest Ohio. We connect people with resources, create spaces where community can thrive, and advocate for a future where every LGBTQ+ person can live openly, safely, and authentically. I […]" url: "https://equalitytoledo.org/" date_modified: "2026-07-14T15:36:46+00:00" --- TransOhio: Virtual monthly clinics are held the second Wednesday of every month by appointment Pantry open · no questions asked You belong here --- Northwest Ohio · since 2005 Everyone deserves to belong. **You belong here.** Equality Toledo is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a more inclusive Northwest Ohio. We connect people with resources, create spaces where community can thrive, and advocate for a future where every LGBTQ+ person can live openly, safely, and authentically. [I need help today](#resources) [See what's coming up](#events) --- ## 6.1k people served / yr ## 21 years in Toledo ## 4 active programs ![pexels-dibakar-roy-2432543-29972836](https://equalitytoledo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/pexels-dibakar-roy-2432543-29972836-scaled.webp) Help keep our pantry stocked #### Community Pantry Food, hygiene products, and essentials for our LGBTQ+ community --- ## Who we are The friend who shows up. Every time. Equality Toledo is the person in your community who always makes sure everyone feels **seen**, **supported**, and **welcome**, through advocacy, community events, or just helping someone access basic needs without judgment. Bold, compassionate, resourceful, and unapologetically committed to a stronger, more connected LGBTQ+ community in Northwest Ohio. ## We fight for you Policy, anti-discrimination, voter outreach. We keep showing up at the statehouse so you don’t have to. ## We hold space for you Youth nights, family circles, mutual aid. The room you needed at 16 and the one you still need at 46. ## We answer the hard questions Affirming providers, name changes, school policy, written by people who’ve been there, free to download. --- ## Meet the team ## The people in the building. Small staff. Big heart. If you call us, one of us picks up. ![323567014_1271689950043355_4622025797858761628_n](https://equalitytoledo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/323567014_1271689950043355_4622025797858761628_n.jpg) ## Brent Rabie ## Director ![Now Open (Instagram Post (45)) (1)](https://equalitytoledo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Now-Open-Instagram-Post-45-1.webp) ## Rachel Richardson ## Programs Manager ![502835826_24026368013648627_3498041287974582284_n](https://equalitytoledo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/502835826_24026368013648627_3498041287974582284_n.webp) ## Kwinlyn Tyler ## Board Chair ![501237778_10221995278549693_4989387191434795514_n](https://equalitytoledo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/501237778_10221995278549693_4989387191434795514_n.webp) ## Delaney Carnes ## Vice Chair --- ## Find what you need ## We’re here when… 1. the legal forms feel overwhelming. 2. your family won’t use your name. 3. you need groceries and don’t want to explain why. 4. your kid just came out and you’re not sure what to do next. 5. you can’t find an affirming doctor in your insurance network. 6. you just need somewhere it’s okay to be exactly who you are. Whatever brought you here, you don’t have to do it alone. [Talk to a real person →](tel:+14193497205) --- ## What we do ## Programs that show up, year-round. Six core programs running today. Most are walk-in and all are free — nobody is turned away. Care ### Trans Ohio: Name-Change Clinic Free virtual monthly help filing legal name + gender-marker changes in Ohio.  ## second Wednesday of every month by appointment youth ### LGBTQ+ Youth Group Drop-in space for queer + trans youth ages 12–19. Snacks, games, no agenda.                                                  ## Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00 PM care ### No Barriers Pantry Groceries, hygiene kits, and emergency cash assistance for community members in need.                ## Wednesdays 5:30-7:30 PM Saturdays 1:00-4:00 PM Community  ### TATS: Toledo Area Trans Support Peer support for trans, nonbinary, and questioning adults — and the people who love them. ## Every 4th Sunday at 2:30 PM Education ### Allyship Trainings Trainings for advocates — testifying, organizing, talking to electeds without burning out. ## Taking Bookings Education ### School partnership program Inclusive-classroom trainings, GSA support, and faculty office hours across NWO schools. ## Book by semester --- ## What we do ## What's coming up. Five upcoming dates. Sync the full calendar to Google or Apple — we update it weekly. [Full calendar](http://et.previewease.com/calendar) [SUBSCRIBE (.ICS)](webcal://et.previewease.com/?et_ics=1) SAT · JUL 18 Support Love Fest 2026 The Toledo Love, Love Wall (1209 Adams St) · 1209 Adams St Toledo OH 43604 3:00 PM 1:00 AM SAT · AUG 15 Pride 2026 Toledo Pride Promenade Park · Downtown Toledo 12:00 PM 11:00 PM --- ## Community moments ## What it looks like. Years of pantry days, marches, family circles, and pride. The actual people we show up for. pride march · 2024 1200 × 1500 · 4:5 · .jpg / .png pantry day · volunteers 1200 × 1500 · 4:5 · .jpg / .png youth night · q-crew 1200 × 1500 · 4:5 · .jpg / .png name-change clinic · waiting 1200 × 1500 · 4:5 · .jpg / .png rally · statehouse 2025 1200 × 1500 · 4:5 · .jpg / .png --- ## VOICES ## In their own words. Names changed when the person asked. Stories are real. “ They got me through my name change in six weeks without me having to explain myself  once. ## Maya Name-change clinic · 2025 “ I walked in for groceries on the worst Tuesday of my life. I left with food, a sweater, and somebody’s phone number in case I needed to talk later. ## Chris Mutual aid pantry · 2024 “ When my daughter came out at 14, I had no idea what I was doing. The Trans Family Circle was the first room where I didn’t feel like I was failing her. ## Renee Trans family circle · parent --- ## RESOURCE LIBRARY ## 150+ vetted local resources. Affirming providers, legal help, mutual aid, crisis lines, welcoming faith communities — sourced and checked by our staff. Free to use. [Open full guide](https://equalitytoledo.org/resource-guide/) Businesses Crisis Shelters Faith Healthcare Legal Mental Health Pantries Transgender St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Download St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 1201 Madison Ave · Toledo, OH 43604 (419) 243-8284 stpaulsumctoledo.com St. Stephen Lutheran Church Download St. Stephen Lutheran Church 7800 Erie St · Sylvania, OH ststephenlutheran.church Salem Lutheran Church Download Salem Lutheran Church 1127 Erie St · Toledo, OH 43604 (419) 243-2345 salemlutherantoledo.org Sylvania 1st United Methodist Download Sylvania 1st United Methodist 7000 Erie St · Sylvania, OH 43560 (419) 882-2205 sylvaniafirst.org Trinity United Methodist (BG) Download Trinity United Methodist (BG) 200 N. Summit St · Bowling Green, OH 43402 (419) 353-9031 bgtrinity.org United Methodist Student Organization (BGSU) Download United Methodist Student Organization (BGSU) (321) 443-5141 · M–F 9–noon --- ## THE ASK THIS MONTH · COMMUNITY PANTRY ### Help keep our pantry stocked. Every gift puts groceries, hygiene items, and essentials in the hands of LGBTQ+ individuals and families across Northwest Ohio, no questions asked, no judgment. Open Mon 11–1 · Wed 5:30–7:30 · Sat 1–4 · 1301 Jefferson Ave ## WHAT YOUR GIFT BUYS ## $15 A week of fresh groceries for one neighbor ## $30 A full hygiene & essentials kit ## $75 Feeds a family of four for a week [Donate Today](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=J6QMK4B7SPVRY&ssrt=1782575574734) --- ## THREE WAYS TO HELP ## Care looks like something. Pick the one that fits how you’ve got time, money, or energy this month. ## Volunteer ### Show up at an event Setup, intake, marshaling, photography. Most shifts are 3 hours, training included. ## Join Leadership ### Become a Board Member $5/month keeps the lights on, the pantry stocked, and our staff paid fairly. ## Community pantry ### Support our Pantry Your gift helps feed the neighbors in our community. --- ## Come see us Doors open. Coffee on. Always free. ADDRESS 125 S Superior St Toledo, OH 43604 Office hours Mon – Fri · 10 → 5 Pantry pickup by appt · evenings ok Call or text (419) 540-8424 A real person, every weekday [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//1301+Jefferson+Ave,+Toledo,+OH+43604/data=!4m6!4m5!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x883b86d363f4fee5:0x39148b6fbd1bf3a?sa=X&ved=1t:707&ictx=111) [Email us first](mailto:director@equalitytoledo.org) [Map: 125 S Superior](https://maps.google.com/maps?q=125%20S%20Superior) ![ET-Icon-Yellow.png](https://equalitytoledo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ET-Icon-Yellow.webp) You’ll find us here Downtown --- ## In the news ## People are paying attention. Coverage from local press and statewide partners. Press kit available on request. Equality Toledo Equality Toledo Announces Analese Alvarez as New Executive Director “The Equality Toledo Board of Directors announced Analese Alvarez, a University of Toledo doctoral student and longtime LGBTQ+ advocate and educator, as the organization’s new executive director.” March 2018 Press Release Tell Toledo Equality Toledo Welcomes Interim Director “Equality Toledo welcomed former Executive Director Nick Komives as interim executive director after the board accepted the resignation of Analese Alvarez.” April 2019 Press Release WTOL 11 Toledo Love Fest 2023 “Equality Toledo hosted its sixth annual Love Fest at the Love Wall on Adams Street, featuring nearly 20 performances, 30 local entertainers and artists, with proceeds funding the group’s advocacy work.” July 2023 TV Load More --- ## Donate ## $32 keeps a neighbor fed for a week. Your gift pays for groceries, name-change filing fees, and the staff who answer the phone when someone calls scared. We’re a 501(c)(3), every dollar goes back to the people who need it. **89¢** of every dollar goes to programs. Give once or set it monthly, PayPal remembers you. Prefer Venmo, mail, or ACH? Reach out to us. Thank You ## Make a gift ### Give to the pantry & programs ## $15 A week of fresh groceries for one neighbor ## $30 A full hygiene & essentials kit ## $75 Feeds a family of four for a week [Donate With PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=J6QMK4B7SPVRY&ssrt=1782575574734) Secure checkout via PayPal · EIN 34-1718281 · Tax-deductible