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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, media@equalityohio.org   According to a new report, released jointly by Equality Ohio and the Ohio Health Modernization Movement (OHMM), there were at least 214 cases from […]

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 Youth Center I 614.294.5437 I jen@kycohio.org As Ohio Senate Overrides Governor’s Veto of Ban on Medically Necessary Care for Trans Youth, Advocates Launch Emergency Resources […]

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 Transgender Rights Equality Ohio expresses deep disappointment over the Ohio Senate’s vote to override the Governor’s veto of HB 68, highlighting the disregard for voices […]

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, to Giles.Allen@governor.ohio.gov  RE: Comments on Draft Rule 5122-26-19, Gender Transition Care, and Draft Amended Rule 5122-14-12, Program, Specialty Services, and Discharge Planning Requirements  Dear Director […]

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 of Ohio; ccoming@acluohio.org  Press Team, Human Rights Campaign; press@hrc.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  January 11th, 2024 COLUMBUS, OHIO – LGBTQ+ leaders from the Ohio is Home […]

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 Campaign, press@hrc.org  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 10th, 2024 COLUMBUS, OHIO – A coalition of leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations including: Equality Ohio, ACLU of Ohio, TransOhio, Trans […]

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 would have prevented health professionals from providing best practice treatment to transgender youth, as well as barred transgender youth from participating in school sports with […]

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 New York, NY, December 15, 2023) — GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, and Equality Ohio, which advocates and educates to achieve fair […]

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 resources as of August 2023. This in-depth analysis is purely informational and does not take the place of professional legal advice. We encourage community members […]

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), the only LGBTQ+ lawmaker serving in the 135th General Assembly, has reintroduced the Ohio Fairness Act (OFA) alongside a bipartisan group of eight supportive cosponsors. […]

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 – (March 29th) Today, LGBTQ+ Advocacy Organizations from across Ohio and the country call upon the House Higher Education Committee to reject House Bill 6, a […]

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 will be hosting our first ever 2022 Nonpartisan Statewide Candidate Forum on September 29th from 5 to 9 pm EDT. Selected statewide candidates from both […]

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 analyzes the legislative voting record of Ohio’s state legislators during the 134th General Assembly as well as the career accomplishments of the candidates for the […]

Equality Ohio Statement on Police Violence in the Wake of Another Preventable Death

July 22, 2021 We stand with the family of Jayland Walker, as they have recently laid him to rest in Akron, Ohio—a place and community dear to our hearts. We join with all who gather to mourn yet another senseless death at the hands of a power dynamic with a dwindling moral compass. We remember […]

Equality Ohio Condemns Sudden Passage of Bill Amendment Prohibiting Transgender Youth from Playing Sports

Moments ago, Rep. Jenna Powell inserted an amendment that would prohibit transgender youth from participating in school sports into HB 151

Equality Ohio Applauds Opposition Testimony in Support of Gender Affirming Care

Equality Ohio applauds the Opposition Testimony submitted in today’s hearing against HB 454 from Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, Dr. Armand Antommaria, Dr. David Axelson, MD, and Dr. Patricia Manning-Courtney. We encourage all to read that testimony, which can be found by clicking on each person’s name above (at the bottom of the page: June 1). […]

Legislation Seeking to Ban Affirming Care Targets Already Vulnerable Ohio Youth with Medical Misinformation for Political Gain:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19th, 2022 Contact: md@equalityohio.org  Legislation Seeking to Ban Affirming Care Targets Already Vulnerable Ohio Youth with Medical Misinformation for Political Gain: Columbus– (May 19th) This morning, the House Families, Aging, and Human Services Committee held a second hearing on House Bill 454, which would ban gender affirming care for minors in […]

GO VOTE: The future of our democracy and liberties are on the ballot.

May 2nd, 2022 Updated May 6th, 2022 Community,  We are angry, heartbroken, and more determined than ever after seeing the leaked draft version of Dobbs that seeks to overturn Roe and Casey, and in turn, undercut the fundamental right to privacy that protects a person’s access a safe, legal abortion. But as we explained in […]

Ohio Lawmakers Introduce Cruel LGBTQ+ Censorship Bill Targeting Free Speech in the Classroom

Ohio Lawmakers Introduce Cruel LGBTQ+ Censorship Bill Targeting Free Speech in the Classroom

Ohio Athletes, LGBTQ+ Advocates Launch Campaign to Change the Narrative about Support for Transgender Youth Athletics

For Immediate Release: March 30, 2022Contact: Eleanor Naiman, eleanor.naiman@berlinrosen.com  Ohio Athletes, LGBTQ+ Advocates Launch Campaign to Change the Narrative about Support for Transgender Youth Athletics Ohioans from across the state share their support for the transgender community, affirming that #OhioCanPlay  COLUMBUS, Ohio (March 30, 2021) – This year on Transgender Day of Visibility, Equality Ohio […]

House Bill 454 Bans Safe, Effective Medical Care for Ohio’s Youth

Across the country, the politicians are increasingly using gender idenity, specifically transgender youth, as a flashpoint in their conservative movement. Last year was reported to be the worst year for Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in recent history; many of these bills focused specifically on minors and their access to health care. Many of these attacks are fueled […]

Health Care Providers, Experts and LGBTQ+ Rights Advocates Urge Ohio Lawmakers to Protect Access to Health Care for All Young People in Response to HB 454

COLUMBUS, Ohio (February 16, 2021) – Tomorrow at 11am, the Ohio House Families, Aging and Human Services Committee will hear testimony on HB454, a bill that would give politicians the power to interfere in personal medical decisions made by families in consultation with their health care providers. This bill aims to restrict transgender young people’s access to […]

Equality Ohio Celebrates Holidays by Announcing New Deputy Director, Siobhan Boyd-Nelson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 23rd 2021  Media Contact: md@equalityohio.org  Equality Ohio Celebrates Holidays by Announcing New Deputy Director, Siobhan Boyd-Nelson New Deputy Director Boyd-Nelson poised to increase organizational capacity and strategically advance “legal” and “lived” LGBTQ+ equality  Columbus, Ohio – Equality Ohio announced this week the selection of a new Deputy Director. Former Equality Ohio […]

Transgender Student Rights in Schools

Recently our team at Equality Ohio has experienced an alarming increase in calls from parents, educators, and school counselors observing harassment and mistreatment of transgender students in our schools. We invited a guest attorney and expert in Ohio education law, Emily Spivack, Esq., to weigh in on the dos and don’ts that help schools protect their transgender school community members and stay in compliance with Title IX.

Equality Ohio’s Statement of Solidarity

We believe BIPOC staff when they share experiences of racism and anti-Blackness. Knowing you will be believed is empowering. We call on ourselves as an organization as well as our partners to always create space for people who have been harmed by racial injustice and offer the opportunity for staff to honestly name their experiences. It’s not easy to speak up without knowing whether your colleagues will believe you and stand alongside you. We unequivocally  stand in solidarity with current and former BIPOC Equitas employees and commit to continuing the work of modifying our own organizational structure to model the working world we want to see.

A Commitment to Mission Means Not Just Condemning But Combating Racism In All Forms

A Commitment to Mission Means Not Just Condemning But Combating Racism In All Forms

Read Our Testimony Against Ohio’s Anti-Honesty in Education Bills

On September 22nd, Equality Ohio’s Public Policy Director, Maria Bruno, testified against HB322 and HB327, Ohio’s anti-honesty in education bills (or anti-critical race theory bills). You can read our testimony below: Equality Ohio’s Testimony on HB322: Chair Wiggam, Vice Chair John, Ranking Member Kelly, and members of the State and Local Government committee, thank you […]

Equality Ohio Welcomes New Public Policy Director, Looks Forward to Strong Future for LGBTQ+ Equality Statewide

New Public Policy Director set to continue state and local advocacy and increase capacity to improve laws for LGBTQ+ Ohioans FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 26, 2021 CONTACT:  MD Spicer-Sitzes, md@equalityohio.org COLUMBUS, OH – Equality Ohio, Ohio’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ organization, and Equality Ohio Education Fund announced this morning that Maria Bruno will take the lead […]

Ohio Faith Leaders Urge Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown to Support the Equality and Protect LGBTQ People from Discrimination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2021 CONTACT: Yunny Seo, yunny@precisionstrategies.com  Ohio Faith Leaders Urge Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown to Support the Equality and Protect LGBTQ People from Discrimination  CINCINNATI, OHIO — Today, Ohio faith leaders —  Rev. JM Triplett, Rev. Nicole Kelly, and Rev. David Meredith — called on Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) […]

Is your school district confused? Here’s Ohio High School’s Athletic Association Policy on Transgender Athletes

The Board of Directors of the OHSAA, Executive Director’s Office and member schools do hereby reaffirm the following policy considerations respecting participation in interscholastic sports in Ohio: 1. Participation in interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics is a valuable part of the education experience for all students. 2. Transgender student athletes should have equal opportunity to participate […]

We Stand in Solidarity with AAPI Communities

As Ohioans, we must continue the ongoing work to be truly anti-racist. Across party lines, leaders and communities alike are calling for an end to White Supremacy. Its destructive path has no place in public office or civic duty…

Statement: Equality Ohio Stands Firm Against SB 104 

Statement: Equality Ohio Stands Firm Against SB 104  Ohio — Equality Ohio released the following statement after Gov. Mike DeWine ACTION on SB 104, a restrictive bill that mandates all kindergarten through university school bathrooms and spaces used for school-sanctioned activities to be restricted by a person’s assigned sex at birth, endangering the safety and […]

Equality Ohio Statement on Trans Day of Remembrance

COLUMBUS – Equality Ohio Executive Director Dwayne Steward has issued the following statement regarding the Trans Day of Remembrance, which was established in 1999 after the deaths of Black trans women Rita Hester and Chanelle Pickett, a day established to serve as a call to treat the lives and deaths of trans people with dignity […]

Equality Ohio Statement on Trans Day of Remembrance

COLUMBUS – Equality Ohio Executive Director Dwayne Steward has issued the following statement regarding the Trans Day of Remembrance, which was established in 1999 after the deaths of Black trans women Rita Hester and Chanelle Pickett, a day established to serve as a call to treat the lives and deaths of trans people with dignity […]

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