Equality Ohio

??Just in: Equality Ohio and TransOhio Affirm Commitment to Justice Following Franklin County Court Decision. 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. ????? 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.” ? We must continue advocating for justice and liberation for trans people everywhere, especially our trans youth in Ohio. Read our full press release with TransOhio: https://lnkd.in/geGcjZaE

As LGBTQ+ students head back to the classroom, it's more important than ever to show up with your support. Join the Defenders of Equality and get a free Welcome swag pack, exclusive invites, and more. Help us in the fight for local and statewide, lived and legal equality. Join now at https://lnkd.in/eSpRafPU

Equality Ohio is thrilled to announce the launch of our 2024 Candidate Scorecard webpage and virtual worksheet—vital tools for informed voting on LGBTQ+ equality. “Equality Ohio is dedicated to achieving lived and legal equality for LGBTQ+ Ohioans,” said Katie Belanger, Interim Executive Director of Equality Ohio. “The launch of our 2024 Candidate Scorecard demonstrates our firm commitment to this mission. We are excited about the impact this tool will have on empowering Ohio voters, and advancing LGBTQ+ rights.” Download the brochure and check out the scorecard webpage: https://lnkd.in/eNH-bhqq

Equality Ohio is growing our team! Are you looking for a job that makes an impact? We are currently seeking an Interim Communications Director and a Director of People & Culture. Share this post with your networks. Learn more and apply at linktr.ee/EqualityOhio.

"Equality Ohio said the bill undermines the dignity and rights of transgender and gender diverse Ohioans. “Across races, backgrounds, and genders, we all deserve the dignity of safely existing in public life and using the most basic of public accommodations,” Morgan Zickes, Equality Ohio’s public policy manager, said in a statement. “We saw extremists in the General Assembly resort to eleventh-hour back door legislative efforts to ensure that transgender and gender expansive Ohioans are stripped of this fundamental decency.” https://lnkd.in/gYqnr5uZ

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. “Across races, backgrounds, and genders, we all deserve the dignity of safely existing in public life and using the most basic of public accommodations. Today, we saw extremists in the General Assembly resort to eleventh-hour back door legislative efforts to ensure that transgender and gender expansive Ohioans are stripped of this fundamental decency,” said Morgan Zickes, public policy manager at Equality Ohio. “This is the latest of their desperate efforts to advance a deeply unpopular and discriminatory agenda that Ohioans do not want or need. We will never stop defending transgender and gender expansive communities across our state.” Read our full press release: Link in Bio.

?? New Podcast Episode: Equality Ohio Policy Manager, Micah Mitchell talks about anti-trans legislation in Ohio, and what you can do about it with Unpacking Bexley: https://lnkd.in/gVYbAjcx

In celebration of Pride Month and anticipation of a high-profile and contentious election season, LGBTQ+ leaders and allies are putting together a webinar to highlight the political issues impacting our community. We are excited to invite you to our upcoming webinar "Ohio is Our Home, Too," a relaunch of our campaign to keep Ohio a welcoming place for all. Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2024 Time: 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM RSVP link below: https://lnkd.in/eNH-bhqq Join us as we come together to learn and strategize for a more inclusive and equitable Ohio. Your participation and support are crucial in our efforts to create positive change in our communities.

We asked Defenders of Equality what they'd recommend other parents keep in mind about raising LGBTQ+ kids. While the responses varied, every single respondent used this one word: SUPPORT. Help us continue to build systems of support for LGBTQ+ Ohio. Join Defenders of Equality and help us in the ongoing fight for lived and legal equality in Ohio: linktr.ee/EqualityOhio

??The month of May finds us in between Non-Binary Parents Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. We want to take this time to honor those who are raising LGBTQ+ children, or are themselves an LGBTQ+ parent, step parent, guardian or adult figure in a child’s life. ??Meet Mary, Cheryl, Laura, Minna, and Chris. These Defenders of Equality share their journeys of love, acceptance, and advocacy for their children. Their stories inspire us on our own journey to self-discovery and acceptance. ?Join Defenders or gift someone a Defender membership today: https://lnkd.in/eSpRafPU #DefendersOfEquality