Note
Barring any unexpected action at the statehouse, there will no Action Alert emails for the next two weeks. We will be back with you on Friday, January 10, 2025.
TLDR - Highlights
The Ohio General Assembly passed numerous bills on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, including HB8 (forced outing, RTRI programs, and “don’t say gay/trans”). The bill now goes to Governor DeWine who likely will sign it.
Disinformation purveyors and rumor mills are promoting the idea that the shooter in the Wisconsin shooting was Trans.
What’s Catching Our Eyes
The Buckeye Flame - “Ohio House Passes 11th-Hour Bill Forcing Teachers and Counselors to out LGBTQ+ Students; Now Heads to Governor”
Baptist News Global - “The New Battleground for Methodists is in Africa”
Reasons for Hope
LGBTQ Nation - “Judge Forces Montana to Let Trans People Correct Their Drivers Licenses & Birth Certificates”
LGBTQ Nation - “Trans Power Couple Zooey Zephyr & Erin Reed Got Married & The Pictures Will Melt Your Heart”
The Buckeye Flame - “Two Ohio Pro-LGBTQ+ Bills Get House Hearings During Last Week of Lame Duck”
Overview of Bills LOVEboldly is Following
HB8 - Don’t Say Gay/Trans and School Censorship (contains the language from HB445/SB293 - “LifeWise” bills)
LOVEboldly’s Stance - OPPOSE
HB8 is a school censorship bill like the "don't say gay/don't say Trans" bills proposed and enacted in other states. However, HB8 goes further and involves a vague, poorly defined process by which items can be removed from schools. HB8 would also force teachers, administrators, and school counselors to disclose to parents the gender identity and sexual orientation of students even if the student has asked that their parents not be told.
The House passed HB8 on June 21, 2023. It was introduced in the Senate on September 12, 2023. It was assigned to the Senate Education Committee on September 13, 2023. The Senate Education Committee held hearings on the bill on November 10 and November 11, 2024, and the language from HB445 and SB293 (“LifeWise Bills”) was added. The bill passed the Senate on December 18 and had a concurring vote in the House overnight. HB8 now heads to Governor DeWine.
The SAFE Act (formerly HB68) - Gender Affirming Care Ban
LOVEboldly’s Stance - OPPOSE (remember there is nothing “safe” about the SAFE Act)
HB68 was a substitute bill replacing the original HB68 and HB6. It was passed by the Ohio General Assembly; vetoed by Governor DeWine; and subsequently had that veto overrode. On March 26, 2024, the ACLU of Ohio, in conjunction with the American Civil Liberties Union and global law firm Goodwin, filed suit against the State of Ohio, questioning the constitutionality of HB68. A temporary restraining order barring the implementation of the bill was put into effect until July 15, 2024, when a trial began in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. On August 6, 2024, Judge Michael Holbrook issued a ruling siding with the State of Ohio on all points of the lawsuit.
The ACLU of Ohio filed an appeal almost immediately in Ohio’s 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court heard oral arguments on September 11, 2024. No ruling has been issued at this time.
The Protect All Students Act (formerly SB104/HB183) - Bathroom Ban Against the Transgender Community
LOVEboldly's Stance - OPPOSE
The combined SB104/HB183 passed the Senate on November 13, 2024. On November 27, 2024, Governor DeWine signed the bill into law. It will take effect 90 days from November 27.
HB245 - Drag Ban (Written so poorly that it also bans Trans People)
LOVEboldly’s Stance - OPPOSED
HB245 would characterize all drag performances as "adult entertainment" and require that they only occur in "adult cabarets" where no one under the age of 18 could attend. However, the bill is so poorly written that it could be applied to any Trans+ person in general, whether performing in any capacity or simply walking down the street. HB245 is eerily similar to past laws, which required women and transmen to always wear at least three pieces of "female" clothing at all times.
HB245 was introduced on July 17, 2023. It was assigned to the House Criminal Justice Committee on September 12, 2023. The bill received its first hearing (sponsors' hearing) on November 14, 2023, and its second hearing (proponent) on June 5, 2024.
While the Lame Duck Session technically could continue until 11:59pm on December 31, it looks like HB245 has died.
HB467 and HB471 - Regarding the Requirement for Transgender Candidates to Disclose Their Deadname
LOVEboldly’s Stance - SUPPORT HB467 and OPPOSE HB471
HB467 seeks to add an exemption for Transgender candidates to an Ohio election requirement for candidates for elected office to list any former names. There is already an exemption for people who have changed their names due to marriage or divorce.
HB467 was introduced on March 27, 2024, and assigned to the House Government Oversight Committee on April 2, 2024. It has had Sponsor, Proponent, and Opponent hearings. No additional hearings have been scheduled.
HB471 seeks to allow candidates of any party to challenge any candidate regarding their former names. Currently, candidates can only challenge candidates of their own party.
HB471 is seen as a response to HB467.
HB471 was introduced on April 8, 2024, and assigned to the House Government Oversight Committee on April 23, 2024. It has had Sponsor, Proponent, and Opponent hearings. No additional hearings have been scheduled.
While the Lame Duck Session technically could continue until 11:59pm on December 31, it looks like HB467 and HB471 have died.
HB686 - Prohibit Public Colleges from Using “Preferred Pronouns” on Applications
LOVEboldly’s Stance - OPPOSE
HB686 was introduced on November 7, 2024, and assigned to the House Higher Education Committee on November 12, 2024. The bill had its first hearing (sponsor) on November 20, 2024.
While the Lame Duck Session technically could continue until 11:59pm on December 31, it looks like HB686 has died.
Please reach out to admin@loveboldly.net or bhuelskamp@loveboldly.net if you have any questions.
