Equality Ohio, a statewide LGBTQ organization, has laid off several full-time staff members.
Equality Ohio said in a statement that it's "not the first to be faced with the reality of downsizing as nonprofit organizations continue to face funding threats nationwide."
The organization said it let go of four full-time employees. The staff was originally made up of 17 people.
A union representing the laid-off staff members, however, reports that six people were told they would lose their jobs.
Chicago and Midwest Joint Board of Workers United released a statement from the impacted employees that said the staff members were told that their positions were being eliminated as of Nov. 13.
"This news came as a shock to our team, arriving less than a week after our mandatory participation in Equality Ohio’s 20th Anniversary Gala—a celebration that required many of us to work 8 to 14-hour days to make it a success," the employees wrote.
They say the positions cut included an entire advocacy team, communications and part of the legal clinic staff — five of whom were current union members, and one who was previously in the union.
Equality Ohio did not acknowledge the discrepancy in the reported number of staff members losing their jobs. The organization said it could not provide additional information due to the sensitivity of the situation and "the fact that this matter is still in process."
Both Equality Ohio and the impacted employees said they will continue to fight for LGBTQ rights.
"Despite these difficult times, we remain steadfast in our resolve and will continue to fight for LGBTQ+ Ohioans who are under attack now more than ever," Equality Ohio wrote.
"We are still here. We are your neighbors, your advocates, your community. Our dedication to collective liberation and to the fight for full liberation continues, in solidarity and with love. We’ll see you in the trenches, as always, together in this work for justice," the workers wrote.
