Christine Greenwald is a licensed mental health counselor in private practice, living and working in Bellefontaine, Ohio. She specializes in working with LGBTQ+ individuals, people with religious trauma, or other kinds of complex trauma. Christine writes a weekly newsletter on Substack called “Recasting Religious Trauma,” at the intersection of mental health and adverse religious experiences.

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In Rural Ohio, Gay Bars and Mennonites Are Healing Religious Trauma

by Christine Greenwald 06-28-2023

Patrons inside of The Olive Tree. Courtesy The Olice Tree. 

The working-class town of Bellefontaine (pronounced “bell-FOUNTain), nestled among the farm fields and hills of rural Ohio, in the heart of Rep. Jim Jordan’s legislative district, is not the easiest place to grow up queer. The churches are much more likely to hold to conservative views on sexuality than be LGBTQ+ affirming, and “Trump Won” flags far outnumber rainbow Pride flags.