During Pride Month, Dublin's LGBTQ+ liaison reflects on 5 years of advocacy

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- J.M. Rayburn didn't set out to become a voice for Dublin's LGBTQ+ community. But, since taking on the city's liaison role in 2020, he's helped shape policy, foster inclusion and connect residents to critical resources -- all while balancing his full-time duties in city planning.

Created as part of Dublin's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, the LGBTQ+ liaison position was established five years ago in response to feedback from the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index, a benchmarking tool examining the inclusivity of local laws, policies and services for LGBTQ+ residents. Rayburn, already working in the city's planning division, was the first to be approached for the role.

"It felt like a natural extension of the work I was already doing to build community," he said. "It was taking a step further to ensure that the city remains a welcoming place for everyone, regardless of who they are and who they love."

In the five years since, Rayburn has become a trusted point of contact for LGBTQ+ issues. Responsible for reviewing Dublin's policies and services "through the lens of a person that's part of the LGBTQ+ community," Rayburn said he's a bridge to the city for LGBTQ+ residents and allies. Some of the most impactful moments have been with parents seeking support as they advocate for their LGBTQ+ children.

"The biggest challenge was, as someone who doesn't have kids, being able to understand some of the nuance and concerns of parents that have kids that identify as LGBTQ+," he said. "We want to make sure that the next generation is built for success and has the opportunities that everyone else has."

One key milestone came when Dublin considered and passed an ordinance in 2021 creating city-level protections for people experiencing discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. The ordinance helped establish the liaison role as more than symbolic and allowed Rayburn to engage with community members who wanted to ensure their LGBTQ+ loved ones would be safeguarded.

"That was a great milestone in this effort, but also was reflective of what the community wanted to see," Rayburn said.

As Dublin marks LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Rayburn is urging residents and allies to utilize the resources available through the city, including the liaison site, DublinOhioUSA.gov/LGBTQ-Liaisons/. There, community members can contact Rayburn and view LGBTQ+ services for college students, along with links to an extensive list of support organizations, like the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization, Columbus Public Health LGBTQ Health Initiative, Equitas Health, Kaleidoscope Youth Center and more.

"Stay connected and remember that you are not alone. I think that's very easy to feel like there aren't resources or people out there that are caring deeply about the welfare of our fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community," Rayburn said. "As a liaison, I'm here to listen, to advocate, and to help connect people to different resources and allies."

In turn, Rayburn hopes his role encourages others across Ohio to step into public service. He said the position has taught him how to build trust, amplify marginalized voices, and ensure that city government "reflects the diversity and strength of our community."

"At the end of the day, I don't want to think it's all about me. I really do care about the next generation of leaders and making sure that they can live in a place that they can love freely and live authentically," Rayburn said. "If that's Dublin, that's great, and hopefully that's other places throughout Ohio as well."