Community Platform Dedicated to Celebrating and Connecting LGBTQ+ Individuals Secures OTR Office Space

Midwestern Lesbian Opening in 3CDC’s Willkommen Development

CINCINNATI (December 17, 2025) – After operating out of COhatch near Findlay Market for nearly a year, Midwestern Lesbian has officially signed a lease for the space at 1447 Walnut Street in Over-the-Rhine (OTR). The 654-square-foot office is part of Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC)’s Willkommen project — a mixed-use, mixed-income development that includes 16 historic rehabs and four new infill buildings spread across four sites in the neighborhood.

Founded in 2021 by co-owner Kelsey Ference as a resource for the LGBTQ+ community to discover inclusive events across the Midwest, the initiative has since evolved into Midwestern Lesbian becoming an active event organizer, partnering with local businesses and organizations. With a mission centered on visibility and empowerment, Midwestern Lesbian has grown into a dynamic community platform that fosters meaningful connections through inclusive events, collaborative initiatives, and authentic storytelling on social media.

“In 2021, I was creating an events calendar for a local brewery, and I realized there wasn’t a calendar of events for the local queer community to discover things to do in the area,” Ference explained. “I started researching and discovered there are an estimated 70,000 bars in the U.S. Of those, only about 800 are gay bars — and just 36 are dedicated lesbian bars. When I learned that, I knew I wanted to create a safe, intentional space for Sapphic individuals. Too often, men dominate queer spaces, and the Sapphic community deserves places and events designed specifically for them.”

Ference and her partner, co-owner Caitlin Dunkley, started by curating a calendar of LGBTQ+ events, highlighting spaces where Sapphic individuals could feel comfortable, safe, and seen. Over time, they expanded into hosting their own events — everything from bar crawls and speed dating to karaoke nights and drag shows — while building partnerships with local favorites like Homemakers Bar, Tokyo Kitty, Rhinegeist, and more. Today, Ference and Dunkley manage two platforms: Midwestern Lesbian, which promotes their own events, and Cincy Gay Agenda, a hub for sharing all local queer happenings.

“3CDC has always been intentional about cultivating a diverse, inclusive mix of businesses in OTR storefronts, and we’re thrilled to welcome Midwestern Lesbian to the neighborhood,” said Christy Samad, EVP of Civic & Commercial Space Activation at 3CDC. “We’ve had the privilege of partnering with Kelsey and Caitlin on numerous events in the civic spaces we manage, and we fully support their mission to make Cincinnati a safe, welcoming place for LGBTQ+ individuals.”

The duo plans to celebrate the grand opening of their new office in early 2026 with close friends and family. Upon opening, anyone is welcome to stop in to learn more or access LGBTQ+ resources. A full calendar of upcoming events is also available at www.midwesternlesbian.com/midwestern-lesbian-events.

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