DARKE COUNTY, Ohio (WDTN) — Darke County recently opened a center for the LGBTQ community, and it’s already making an impact.

After forming in January of this year, the LGBTQ Center of Darke County officially opened its doors on May 1. The new center has already seen more than 150 people since opening, with around 30-40 people coming in weekly.


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“Really designed so that every single person feels safe and valued, respected and heard and welcome,” said Ryan Acker, Board Chair for the LGBTQ Center of Darke County.

Acker said they wanted to create a space for people to feel seen and to connect.

“We want to make sure that people have a place where they can just come together and meet one another, which is not always easy in a rural area,” said Acker.

Acker said community partnerships and connections are helping to make the space possible.

“We’ve already started forming partnerships with the health department, family health, local law enforcement and many of the agencies in town so that we can be a part of adding to the community,” said Acker.

The center is event-based, featuring watch parties and support groups so that people can come and connect. It’s already getting the attention of people from beyond the county.


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Acker says it has been great to see this center change lives.

“And I think that’s been really refreshing is that people are seeing community support coming together and that’s been amazing…There are people who emailed us from out of town and said, You know, I’m from there. I really wish this had been there when I was growing up.. It would have changed my life,” said Acker.

To learn more information, visit the center’s website.

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