Ohio Democratic Lawmakers Introduce LGBTQ+ Rights Bills Amid Pride Month Debates
Columbus, Ohio – Democratic legislators at the Ohio Statehouse unveiled a comprehensive package of LGBTQ+ rights bills on Tuesday, aiming to protect the civil liberties of LGBTQ+ residents across the state. Announced during Pride Month, the bills seek to ban conversion therapy, secure marriage equality, and uphold basic civil rights for LGBTQ+ Ohioans.
State Senator Nickie Antonio emphasized the historic struggles of the LGBTQ+ community, stating, “We are not going back to those days of erasure and persecution.” The proposed legislation is intended as a counter to recent Republican-backed bills, such as the controversial SAFE Act, which bans gender-affirming healthcare for minors, and another bill restricting restroom access for transgender students.
Representative Eric Synenberg stressed the importance of acknowledging the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals: “Thousands of Ohioans deserve to have their rights respected and protected.”
Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers and faith leaders held a separate prayer event at the Statehouse, organized by Rep. Gary Click—sponsor of the SAFE Act. Click maintained that the legislation is about empowering parents, not advancing a cultural agenda.
So far, the Democratic bills have no Republican co-sponsors, signaling a deep partisan divide on LGBTQ+ rights in Ohio.
As Columbus and the rest of Ohio continue Pride Month celebrations, the debate over civil rights and legislative policy remains front and center.
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