The methodical strategy behind the Center for Christian Virtue's transformation from obscure Cincinnati group to state political powerhouse despite LGBTQ advocacy opposition
The Center for Christian Virtue, a conservative Christian public policy organization, is located across the street from the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus The organization has grown influential in recent years, scoring many wins at the Ohio Statehouse in issues ranging from private school vouchers to youth transgender health bans.
One of the state’s most controversial yet influential organizations – the Center for Christian Virtue – takes the stage this week at the City Club of Cleveland, andhighlighted how CCV transformed from a small Cincinnati-based group focused on obscenity laws into a powerhouse that now shapes policy across Ohio. As Leila Atassi explained, their rise was both methodical and strategic: “This is an uncomfortable moment, but it’s an important one because of how normalized this kind of power has become. Groups like the center of Christian Virtue didn’t win Ohio just through culture wars. They really did it by mastering kind of the boring stuff. The proximity to lawmakers and policy fluency and relentless focus on state government.” Under President Aaron Baer, the organization moved to Columbus, positioned its headquarters directly across from the Statehouse, and grew rapidly – from just two employees to around 35 with nearly $5 million in annual revenue. Their influence now extends to private school vouchers, transgender healthcare restrictions, sports participation policies, and opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on college campuses. The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled CCV an “anti-LGBTQ+ hate group,” a designation that fueled controversy around the City Club of Cleveland’s decision to host the organization. Over 100 LGBTQ+ organizations signed a letter protesting the forum, arguing that providing such a platform legitimizes harmful rhetoric. Chris Quinn challenged the very name of the organization: “I went to Catholic school for 12 years, and Christian is based on Christ. It’s the New Testament. There is nothing in the New Testament about hate of anybody. And it always throws me that these groups that wrap themselves in this Christian blanket are anti Christian because they come out loaded for bear, aiming at the LGBTQ community. It is hateful stuff.” Despite that criticism, Quinn defended the City Club decision to host the forum. “If you’re curious about how a niche group like this is wielding such power and dictating policy for our state. Hateful policies. I mean, they overcame Mike DeWine’s veto on transgender care, then go in, listen. And because with the City Club, half of the time is dedicated to questions, ask your questions.” The episode covered how CCV’s expansion of influence represents a playbook being exported to other states. Atassi said the forum, scheduled for Friday, offers a rare opportunity to “drill down into how they behave become so influential.”JD Vance Tells Americans to reject their own eyesight in his Orwellian defense of ICE Killingwhere Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston.
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