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Equality Ohio is Ohio’s statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy and legal aid organization. We have 5 departments working to achieve lived and legal equality in Ohio. 

Through our commitment to racial and social justice, we’re addressing issues of inequality at the margins. And with our commitment to expanding inclusive faith traditions, we’re mobilizing communities of faith across Ohio to help end LGBTQ+ inequality.

When you support the work of Equality Ohio, you are fueling life-changing connections in homes, institutions, and businesses across the state.

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SB 132 Ohio
Fairness Act

The Ohio Fairness Act would add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to the laws that make discrimination illegal in Ohio. That’s right—in most parts of Ohio, it’s still legal to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people.

Read the Senate Bill

LegislationUpdates in Legislation

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Recent NewsStay Informed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Equality Ohio Condemns Surprise Passage of Bathroom Ban by Ohio House

At nearly 11 pm on Wednesday evening, on the last session day before their summer recess, extremists in the Ohio legislature added an anti-LGBTQ+ amendment into Senate Bill 104 on the House floor. The last-minute amendment places l a bathroom ban for transgender people in schools K-12 through Higher Education into an unrelated bill related to the College Credit Plus program. Equality Ohio condemns the surprise passage of this discriminatory legislation, which undermines the dignity and rights of transgender and gender diverse Ohioans. 

Press Release: Equality Ohio, ACLU of Ohio, and TransOhio Denounce House Bill 245 Ahead of Proponent Testimony

Equality Ohio, ACLU of Ohio and TransOhio strongly opposes House Bill 245(sponsored by Representatives King and Williams), a broad and harmful measure that criminalizes performing while transgender or in drag outside of adults-only venues. Proponent testimony for this bill is scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, at 12 PM in the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee.

Equality Ohio and Ohio Health Modernization Movement Release Groundbreaking Report: Over 200 Ohioans Criminalized for HIV

Equality Ohio and Ohio Health Modernization Movement Release Groundbreaking Report: Over 200 Ohioans Criminalized for HIV FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 28th, 2024 Media Contact:  MD Sitzes, Communications Manager, Equality Ohio, […]

Press Statement: Equality Ohio Responds to Revised ODH and OMHAS Rules by DeWine Administration

Press Statement: Equality Ohio Responds to Revised ODH and OMHAS Rules by DeWine Administration

As Ohio Senate Overrides Governor’s Veto of Ban on Medically Necessary Care for Trans Youth, Advocates Launch Emergency Resources to Help Impacted Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2024 Adam Polaski | Campaign for Southern Equality | 610.306.7956 | adam@southernequality.org MD Sitzes | Equality Ohio | 614-224-0400 | media@equalityohio.org  Jen Kuhn I Kaleidoscope […]

Press Statement: Equality Ohio Condemns Ohio Senate’s Override of Governor’s Veto of HB 68, Affirming Commitment to Transgender Rights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: MD Sitzes Email: media@equalityohio.org, md@equalityohio.org  January 24th, 2024 Press Statement: Equality Ohio Condemns Ohio Senate’s Override of Governor’s Veto of HB 68, Affirming Commitment to […]

Public Comments on Draft Rule 5122-26-19, Gender Transition Care, and Draft Amended Rule 5122-14-12, Program, Specialty Services, and Discharge Planning Requirements 

January 19, 2024  LeeAnne Cornyn, Director  Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services  Submitted electronically to MH-SOT-rules@mha.ohio.gov  CC: Governor Mike DeWine via Giles Allen, Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs, […]

Ohio LGBTQ+ Leaders Denounce Proposed Restrictions on Health Care

Ohio LGBTQ+ Leaders Denounce Proposed Restrictions on Health CareGroups decry anti-trans legislation and executive orders to restrict health care Media Contacts:  MD Sitzes, Equality Ohio; media@equalityohio.org Celina Coming , ACLU […]

THURS 1/11/24: Ohio LGBTQ+ Leaders Hold Virtual Press Briefing to Discuss Legislative and Executive Attack on Transgender Healthcare

THURS: Ohio LGBTQ+ Leaders Hold Virtual Press Briefing to Discuss Legislative and Executive Attack on Transgender Healthcare   Media Contacts:  MD Sitzes, Equality Ohio, media@equalityohio.orgCelina Coming, ACLU of Ohio ccoming@acluohio.orgPress Team, Human Rights […]

Press Statement: Equality Ohio Reacts to Proposed Rules Impacting Care for Transgender Ohioans

Equality Ohio shares the concerns of TransOhio and other trans-led organizations, leading medical providers, and community members currently accessing healthcare who have expressed grave concerns about the harm these new rules would cause.

Equality Ohio Applauds Governor’s Veto of HB 68

For immediate release: 12/29/2023 Press contact: media@equalityohio.org Equality Ohio Applauds Governor’s Veto of HB 68 COLUMBUS, Ohio (December 29, 2023)– Today, Governor Mike DeWine vetoed HB 68, a bill that […]

MEDIA RELEASE: GLAAD, EQUALITY OHIO FACT SHEET FOR REPORTERS ON HB 68, BAN ON HEALTH CARE AND SPORTS FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IN OHIO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE media@equalityohio.orgpress@glaad.org MEDIA ALERT: GLAAD, EQUALITY OHIO FACT SHEET FOR REPORTERS ON HB 68, BAN ON HEALTH CARE AND SPORTS FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IN OHIO (Columbus, OH and […]

Coalition of LGBTQ+ Organizations Unite Against Anti-Trans Legislation and Announce “Ohio Is Home” Campaign

A coalition of LGBTQ+ affirming organizations in Ohio including TransOhio, Equality Ohio, ACLU of Ohio, HRC, Kaleidoscope Youth Center, Equitas Health, and NASW have united in opposition to harmful legislation that threatens the freedom, safety, and future of LGBTQ+ Ohioans. This coalition is proud to announce the release of a sign-on letter

Equality Ohio Condemns Discriminatory Policy of Catholic Diocese of Greater Cleveland

Equality Ohio, the state’s foremost LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, has expressed its profound disappointment with the recent news of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland’s policy against inclusion and basic civil rights.

The 303 Creative Decision: Impacts, Realities, and Action

In this analysis you will find a summary of the recent Federal Supreme Court Case, 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, a detailed analysis of legal implications with examples, and recommended […]

Press Release: Equality Ohio Expresses Strong Support for the Ohio Fairness Act:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29th, 2023 Media Contact: MD Sitzes, md@equalityohio.org, media@equalityohio.org COLUMBUS, OH – Today, Equality Ohio is proud to announce that Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood), […]

Trans Realities in Ohio, Defending Our Joy

Over the course of June, The Defenders of Equality are bringing you stories from Trans folks across the state of Ohio about the joys and very real struggles they are experiencing, often at once.

Trans Realities in Ohio, Defending Our Joy

Over the course of June, The Defenders of Equality are bringing you stories from Trans folks across the state of Ohio about the joys and very real struggles they are experiencing, often at once.

Trans Realities in Ohio, Defending Our Joy

Over the course of June, The Defenders of Equality are bringing you stories from Trans folks across the state of Ohio about the joys and very real struggles they are experiencing, often at once.

Trans Realities in Ohio, Defending Our Joy

Over the course of June, The Defenders of Equality are bringing you stories from Trans folks across the state of Ohio about the joys and very real struggles they are experiencing, often at once.

Trans Realities in Ohio, Defending Our Joy

Over the course of June, The Defenders of Equality are bringing you stories from Trans folks across the state of Ohio about the joys and very real struggles they are experiencing, often at once.

Trans Realities in Ohio, Defending Our Joy

Over the course of June, The Defenders of Equality are bringing you stories from Trans folks across the state of Ohio about the joys and very real struggles they are experiencing, often at once.

Press Release: LGBTQ+ Organizations Rally Care for Ohio’s Youth This Pride Season:

“By shedding light on the truth, these fearless advocates reshape the narrative surrounding transgender rights and create a more compassionate and equitable Ohio reflective of our values,”

Press Release: LGBTQ+ Advocacy Organizations Respond to House Bill 6 Proponent Hearing.

March 29th, 2023  Contact: media@equalityohio.org, kathryn@equalityohio.org  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: LGBTQ+ Advocacy Organizations Respond to House Bill 6 Proponent Hearing. Partner Organizations Call On Legislature To Reject Anti-Trans Legislation COLUMBUS – […]

For Immediate Release: Equality Ohio Responds to anti-LGBTQ+ terrorism at Community Event in Wadsworth Ohio

For Immediate Release: Equality Ohio Responds to anti-LGBTQ+ terrorism at Community Event in Wadsworth Ohio

New Year, New General Assembly: The 135th GA Has Begun, but What Does that Mean?

2023 is the starting point for Ohio’s 2-year long General Assembly (or State Legislature). This is the period of time during which bills can be introduced, and during which bills can die. 

Press Release: Advocates and Athletes Celebrate Defeat of HB 151, Proposed Ban on Transgender Athletes in Sports, After Legislature Fails to Pass the Bill Last Night.

in the final hours of the House session, House
Bill 151, the most recent vehicle for a ban on transgender girl athletes in school sports,
was voted down on the House floor.

Equality Ohio supports best practice gender-affirming care and calls for allies to speak out in opposition of House Bill 454

On Wednesday, November 16th at 10 am in room 121, HB 454, a bill that would ban gender affirming health care for minors in Ohio, will have its second opponent hearing.

PRESS RELEASE: Equality Ohio Presents First Nonpartisan Statewide Candidate Forum for Ohio LGBTQ+ Community (September 29th)

For Immediate Release: September 22, 2022 Media Contacts:  media@equalityohio.org md@equalityohio.org  Equality Ohio Presents First Nonpartisan Statewide Candidate Forum for Ohio LGBTQ+ Community (September 29th) COLUMBUS (Sept. 22) – Equality Ohio […]

Press Release: EQUALITY OHIO AND GLAAD RELEASE LGBTQ+ RECORDS OF U.S. SENATE CANDIDATES; CALL ON MEDIA TO INCLUDE LGBTQ+ PEOPLE AND FACTS IN COVERAGE OF THE GENERAL ELECTION 

EQUALITY OHIO AND GLAAD RELEASE LGBTQ+ RECORDS OF U.S. SENATE CANDIDATES; CALL ON MEDIA TO INCLUDE LGBTQ+ PEOPLE AND FACTS IN COVERAGE OF THE GENERAL ELECTION

Press Release: Equality Ohio Announces Formation of Historic Worker Union

Equality Ohio Announces Formation of Historic Worker Union

EQUALITY OHIO RELEASES 2022 ELECTED OFFICIAL SCORECARD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: md@equalityohio.org  August 9th, 2022 EQUALITY OHIO RELEASES 2022 ELECTED OFFICIAL SCORECARD Equality Ohio has publicly released its long awaited 2022 Ohio Lawmaker Equality Scorecard, which […]

Press Release: Ohio LGBTQIA+ Equity Advocates’ Testimony on Anti-Trans Budget Language Rejected

Ohio LGBTQIA+ Equity Advocates’ Testimony on Anti-Trans Budget Language Rejected [Columbus, Ohio] – May 14, 2025 –TransOhio and Equality Ohio strongly condemn the decision by the Ohio Government Oversight and […]

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