Margie's Hope opened a nonprofit Trans-affirming clothing store in 2021, at 1384 W 117th Street, in Lakewood, Ohio, where the community may shop in peace and safety. It made such a community impact that it was voted as one of the best of Cleveland 2021. In subsequent years, the space has grown to become not only a place to shop but a designated space to rally around the Transgender, Non-Binary, and gender-expansive community in ways of support. From resources of peer-to-peer support groups, or just a place for the community to escape the harsh realities of targeted trans attacks, both legislatively, as well as socially. Margie's Closet has become a safe haven for the Trans community in Northeast Ohio. It's the only physical space owned and operated by Transgender leadership in the area.
In recent years, most marginalized groups have come under hardships due to political executive orders, forcing most foundations who aid in much-needed funding and relief to re-address how they support local LGBTQIA+ organizations, if at all, and Margie's Closet/Hope has become just one of the many who has suffered the weight.
Once heavily supported by our local NBA team amongst other institutions, we now struggle to keep the lights on and the doors open in a Safe Space that took years to cultivate and the trans community can depend on.
We understand that funding towards Trans issues may be limited, but preserving physical spaces where the Transgender Community can seek refuge in Ohio cannot afford to disappear.
"We are not ready to throw in the towel just yet. We have so many ideas to provide a space that is long overdue in Ohio, from creating employment opportunities for the Transgender community to building Ohio's first Transgender community center full of one-stop-shop resources for all under the trans banner to take advantage of. All flourishing ideas that can only be beneficial to the Trans community, as well as the state of Ohio, but in order to do this, we are desperately relying on community support, grant funding when applicable and available, as well as our allies to tune in and turn up." -Monika Veliz, President of Margie's Hope.
To learn more about Margie's Hope/Margie's Closet and the work we have committed to, please visit us at:
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