Proposed Drag Ban (House Bill 249)
UPDATE: The Judiciary Committee heard proponent (supporting) testimony on October 29, 2025. We are currently monitoring H.B. 249 for the announcement for opposing testimony (that's us!). If you are an Ohio resident ages 12-24 and would like your voice represented in our planned opposing testimony reach out to [email protected] with subject title "HB249 Testimony". All community quotes in written or spoken testimony will be anonymous.
House Bill 249 would create a new offense of "unlawful adult cabaret performance" that prohibits a person from performing cabaret outside of a specified cabaret performance.
TransOhio has provided a history of the Bill (previous efforts), summary of the Bill, and the perspective impact of the Bill. They also provide an excellent guide to writing and giving your own testimony.
House Bill 249 would create a new offense of "unlawful adult cabaret performance" that prohibits a person from performing cabaret outside of a specified cabaret performance.
TransOhio has provided a history of the Bill (previous efforts), summary of the Bill, and the perspective impact of the Bill. They also provide an excellent guide to writing and giving your own testimony.
Proposed K-12 Diversity Ban Toolkit
In March 2025, Senate Bill 113 was introduced. S.B. 113 would prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion in public school education practices, policies, and trainings. S.B. 113 would prohibit all forms of official consideration to diversity, equity, and inclusion in Ohio schools without ever defining these terms.
KYC collaborated in partnership with Honesty for Ohio Education, TransOhio, LOVEboldly, and several other organizations to develop a toolkit, Ohio: A Place for Every Student, to advocate on behalf of ALL students by defending Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Ohio's K-12 schools.
KYC collaborated in partnership with Honesty for Ohio Education, TransOhio, LOVEboldly, and several other organizations to develop a toolkit, Ohio: A Place for Every Student, to advocate on behalf of ALL students by defending Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Ohio's K-12 schools.
Legislation We're Watching
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House Bill 190House Bill 190 would require public schools to have parent permission to refer to a student by a name or pronoun that differs from what is listed on their birth certificate. Schools that violate the "Given Name Act" would be denied state funding and open themselves up to lawsuits.
H.B. 190 has been introduced in the House in April 2025 and is currently in Committee. |
Want to testify?
Anyone, even those who aren't old enough to register to vote, can submit written testimony or testify in-person on a bill.
Regardless of which method you choose, here's what you need to know:
Please note: Both written and in-person testimony is considered a public record, meaning your name and remarks are available for anyone to read. If you're a young person interested in testifying but don't want your name attached for safety or privacy reasons, email [email protected] to have your comments included anonymously in future KYC testimony.
- Written testimony consists of remarks that you submit that show up on the website and that legislators can read on their own time.
- In-person testimony consists of remarks that you deliver as a speech in front of the committee during a scheduled hearing.
Regardless of which method you choose, here's what you need to know:
- In-person testimony is generally limited to five minutes, while written testimony can be any length.
- You'll have to include a completed witness form, saved as a PDF. You can find the form here.
- You don't have to use your legal name when submitting testimony! Preferred names (and even pseudonyms) are just fine. Also, feel free to use KYC's address (603 E. Town Street Columbus, OH 43215) if you don't feel comfortable using your own.
- Email your testimony and witness form to the chair of the committee. You can find that contact information at www.ohiohouse.gov/committees or www.ohiosenate.gov/committees.
- IMPORTANT: Testimony is due 24 hours before the scheduled start of the committee hearing.
Please note: Both written and in-person testimony is considered a public record, meaning your name and remarks are available for anyone to read. If you're a young person interested in testifying but don't want your name attached for safety or privacy reasons, email [email protected] to have your comments included anonymously in future KYC testimony.
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Explore topics related to the LGBTQIA+ community, including current events, legislation, pop culture and intersectionality. Have a question you want answered or a topic you’d like discussed on Speaking Queerly? Email [email protected]. |
