In this episode, hosts James Hayes and Sarah Rodenberg are talking about what’s good with trans right and activism with Mallory Golski, Kaleidoscope Youth Center’s Civic Engagement & Advocacy Manager, and Cam Ogden, who is the Policy Fellow at Equality Ohio and part of the leadership team at Trans Allies of Ohio.
Anti-Trans Bills in Ohio
- House Bill 68, which bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors, started moving in the legislature less than a week after Issue 1 passed, and came back from their winter break early to pass it.
- House Bill 183 is a “bathroom bill” that would restrict the ability of trans and gender diverse youth and adults to use restrooms and other facilities in K-12 schools and at colleges and universities in Ohio. This would also apply to anyone on the premises of any education institution, which could potentially apply to property on field trips.
- House Bill 245 is a “drag ban” that would ban expressions of transgender, gender-diverse, and gender nonconforming identities with clothing, makeup, prosthetics, and other physical markers — meaning performances such as Shakespeare in the Park and cabaret shows would be outlawed. This bill specifically targets shows outside of adult-only spaces.
- House Bill 8, also known as the “Unsafe Student Act” or “Put Students in Danger Act” would require parental notification about “sexuality” concepts, including gender identity.
One way we can stop this attack on trans youth is by ending gerrymandering — listen to our last episode on redistricting to learn more about the Citizens Not Politicians amendment. There’s also a shout out to the Issue 1 wins last year, both in August and November. If you haven’t listened to those episodes yet, go check them out.
Mallory mentions ways to provide feedback on updated draft rules regulating gender affirming healthcare for Ohioans. You can submit public comments on the rules from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OMHAS), as well as testify in front of the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR).
Read the public comments Kathryn Poe, Policy Matters Ohio’s Budget and Health Researcher, submitted to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Ohio Department of Health around the proposed administrative rules, particularly the data reporting requirements.
Get Involved & Support
To support trans youth and trans families, donate to the TransOhio Emergency Fund and the Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project
Kaleidoscope Youth Center has many resources to support trans youth in Central Ohio. Support KYC by donating at kycohio.org/donate
If you don’t have the means to support the movement financially, continue to share graphics and calls to action with your networks. Awareness and education is just as important!
Follow the following orgs to stay up to date on anti-trans legislation and how you can take action
- Equality Ohio (Instagram / Twitter)
- TransOhio (Instagram / Twitter)
- Trans Allies of Ohio (Instagram / Twitter)
- KYC (Instagram / Twitter)
- ACLU (Instagram / Twitter)
Subscribe to Speaking Queerly, KYC’s podcast, and listen to their episode with Cam on the status of gender-affirming care in Ohio.