*Last updated: 12/9/2024

Every other November, Ohioans vote for state senators and representatives. This two year cycle–combined with November elections for officials who aren’t then sworn in until January–creates a gap between the November election and January start of the legislative session, when the current crop of legislators meets to finish any existing business before the end of the current legislative session and the start of the next.

This period–known a lame duck session–allows the Ohio legislature to take any final actions before adjourning. This year, we expect the lame duck session to consider a number of bills, some of which could help Ohioans and some of which would undoubtedly harm our communities across the state.

Take Action to Protect LGBTQ+ Students and Families

Take action now to protect Ohio’s students and schools—call your Senator TODAY to reject HB 8 and support safe, inclusive education for every child.

You can find your Senator and their contact info here.

Once you are ready, use the script below to tell your Senator to vote NO on HB 8. 

Be prepared to provide:

• Your full name
• Complete mailing address
• Phone number or email if requesting a response

Tips for the call:

• Be polite and concise
• Express why you’re concerned about government overreach in education
• Focus on how this affects all students and schools
• Emphasize the practical burden on schools and educators
• Thank them for their time

Sample Phone Script 

Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I’m a constituent from [YOUR CITY/TOWN]. As a voter in your district, I’m calling to urge Senator [NAME] to vote NO on House Bill 8.

This bill creates unnecessary bureaucracy that ties up educators in paperwork and compliance, leaving less time for teaching our kids.

HB 8 would harm students and burden schools by…

[Choose 1-2 impacts:]

• Replacing local decision-making with rigid state mandates
• Diverting educators’ time from teaching to bureaucratic compliance
• Forcing disclosure of sensitive information about students, even in cases where it could put them in harm’s way
• Wasting resources on unnecessary bureaucracy instead of investing in education
• Censoring classroom discussions, making schools less supportive and inclusive for all students

[Share your personal story:

• Share your perspective as an educator, parent, or student
• Describe what quality education means to your community
• Share why it is important that your community school is well-functioning, welcoming, and safe]

Thank you for your time and your commitment to Ohio’s students and schools.

Now for Some Positive developments.

The Ohio Fairness Act is a pivotal measure aimed at eradicating discrimination against Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community by adding sexual orientation and gender identity into Ohio’s existing anti-discrimination law. Passing it would protect countless Ohioans from anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. While the Fairness Act may not pass this year–this is the 12th time it has been introduced–we will continue to fight for both lived and legal LGBTQ+ equality at the state and local levels.

Earlier this year, Equality Ohio and Ohio Health Modernization Movement released a groundbreaking report that found that over 200 Ohioans had been criminalized between 2014 and 2020 for their HIV status. HB 498, introduced by Representative Sara Carruthers (R-47), would update existing state laws that are medically inaccurate and that impose harsher penalties based on a person’s HIV status. HIV criminalization laws are disproportionately used to target Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, especially those who are also cis and trans women, gay and bisexual men, people who use drugs, sex workers, and immigrants.

There is bipartisan support for many of these changes to HIV criminalization laws, and we’re optimistic going into 2025. You can call and email Representatives Abrams and Williams to request a second hearing for HB 498:

Rep. Abrams

• Email: district41@ohiohouse.gov
• Phone: (614) 466-9091

Rep. Williams

• Email: district29@ohiohouse.gov 
• Phone: (614) 466-1418

Bills that, if signed into law, could harm people across Ohio.

HB 183 / SB 104 is an anti-trans bathroom ban that would require primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges and universities, to force transgender people into the bathroom that aligns with their sex assigned at birth. This bill has already passed the Ohio House and Senate, but Governor DeWine has an opportunity to veto this harmful bill and protect transgender and nonbinary students across Ohio. Become a Defender of Equality to support Equality Ohio’s work or take action to tell Governor DeWine to veto HB 183 / SB 104, because trans students belong in Ohio! You can also call the governor directly at (614) 644-4357 or contact him online.

Ohio’s version of a “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” bill, HB 8, which would add broad curriculum censorship requirements, redefine sex to undermine existing civil rights protections granted to LGBTQ+ people, and force disclosure and alternative curriculum rules for teachers and counselors that leave educators with impossible and conflicting rules and onerous new obligations. HB 8 requires school officials to out any student questioning their identity to their parents, even in cases where abuse is suspected. Join our email list to stay up to date with the latest news about HB 8.

Regardless of the outcome of this lame duck session, we’re here and we remain steadfast. Equality Ohio will continue to advocate for positive change and push back against laws and policies that cause harm. Ready to get involved? Click here for ways to stay informed and get involved.