Contact: MD Sitzes, Communications Manager, Equality Ohio
media@equalityohio.org, md@equalityohio.org
Columbus, Ohio — August 6, 2024 Today, the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas ruled in favor of allowing House Bill 68 to take effect, a devastating blow to the rights of trans youth and their families in Ohio. Despite this setback, Equality Ohio and TransOhio remain steadfast in our commitment to justice and equality.
“Today’s decision by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas is a cruel farce and a slap in the face of what we know to be true: medical choices for youth belong between parents, youth and their personal healthcare providers. And trans women and girls belong in sports with their peers,” said Dara Adkison, Executive Director of TransOhio. “Despite repeated attempts to reduce and restrict access to support systems and public spaces for trans, nonbinary, intersex, and gender nonconforming youth, transgender Ohioans cannot be legislated away. Our youth deserve so much better from our courts, government and elected officials.”
“The fight for trans rights in Ohio and across the nation is ongoing, and today’s ruling represents a significant disappointment for trans youth and their families. HB68 is harmful and discriminatory, and we remain unwavering in providing resources to those affected by this legislation,” said Carson Hartlage, Board Member of TransOhio. “In the trans community, we will continue to uplift and support each other, regardless of government interference into our rights and well-being.”
“Despite today’s ruling upholding House Bill 68, we remain steadfast that transgender youth, like all young people, deserve every opportunity to thrive, including access to essential healthcare. We deeply appreciate the courageous transgender youth and their families who have fought against this legislation, and we extend our gratitude to the ACLU of Ohio for their tireless advocacy,” stated Micah Mitchell, Policy Manager at Equality Ohio. “As we move forward, we will persist in our coalition efforts across the state to ensure that every individual has the chance to live in a world where we all thrive, whether we are trangender or not.”
“Equality Ohio remains unwaveringly with transgender youth in Ohio and their loved ones during this difficult moment. We condemn the ill-informed, discriminatory, and frankly, reckless ruling from Franklin County Court today, and move forward with our resolve to advocate for trans and LGBTQ+ liberation across the state,” Morgan Zickes, Policy Manager at Equality Ohio, said. “Trans youth, you deserve better, your families and providers deserve better, Ohio deserves better; We will keep fighting for a state that affirms the freedoms of all folks to live authentically.”
The Equality Ohio Staff Transgender Caucus responded, “To all trans and gender expansive Ohioans—Ohio is our home and our community is strong. We are heartbroken that the state has let us all down. To our precious transgender youth—we see you, we love you, and we validate your freedom to exist. We will never stop working to make sure that you have every opportunity to thrive. Lean into your community, take care of each other and yourselves, and explore resources available to you at this moment.”
**Take Action:**
- We urge allies to donate to the TransOhio Emergency Fund at: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/transformation_cashassistance.
- If you are a transgender or gender expansive Ohioan in need of financial assistance, apply at: https://www.transohio.org/emergency-resources
- For additional financial support, please visit: www.transyouthemergencyproject.org
- If you have been discriminated against, fill out at intake form with the Equality Ohio Legal Clinic here: https://equalityohio.org/legal-clinic/intake/
Follow Equality Ohio and TransOhio on social media for further updates and ways to get involved.
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About Equality Ohio: Equality Ohio is a nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving lived and legal equality for LGBTQ+ Ohioans and our allies. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, Equality Ohio works to create a more inclusive and equitable Ohio for all. www.equalityohio.org
About TransOhio: Founded in 2005, TransOhio is Ohio’s only statewide trans-led organization dedicated to promoting transgender rights, education, support, resources and advocacy. Committed to creating a more inclusive and accepting society, TransOhio works tirelessly to empower transgender individuals and their allies through community engagement, education, and support. For more information about TransOhio, please visit www.transohio.org.
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