News and Events => Political and Legal News => Topic started by: Jessica_Rose on March 26, 2026, 01:34:55 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Republican Ohio House passes drag ban targeting transgender Ohioans
Post by: Jessica_Rose on March 26, 2026, 01:34:55 PM
Post by: Jessica_Rose on March 26, 2026, 01:34:55 PM
Republican Ohio House passes drag ban targeting transgender Ohioans
https://www.advocate.com/politics/states/drag-ban-ohio-house-passed
H.L. Comeriato (26 March 2026)
Members of the Ohio House voted Wednesday to advance the state's ban on public drag and gender performance.
Ohio House Bill (HB) 249 – which received three committee hearings rife with anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-transgender disinformation – will now head to the Senate. The bill passed the House by a vote of 63-30, largely along party lines: Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) broke ranks to vote against the bill.
If passed, "The Enact the Indecent Exposure Modernization Act" would ban drag and gender performances outside of "adult cabaret" venues or in any public venue where a minor may be present.
Public performances that meet the definition of obscenity are already banned under Ohio law.
Anti-LGBTQ+ language in the bill would disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ performers, heavily restricting "performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer's or entertainer's biological sex using clothing, makeup, prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers ..."
Additionally, a separate section of the bill that substitutes the phrase "private part" for "private area" would also help criminalize trans and gender non-conforming people who use gendered public facilities during daily life.
https://www.advocate.com/politics/states/drag-ban-ohio-house-passed
H.L. Comeriato (26 March 2026)
Members of the Ohio House voted Wednesday to advance the state's ban on public drag and gender performance.
Ohio House Bill (HB) 249 – which received three committee hearings rife with anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-transgender disinformation – will now head to the Senate. The bill passed the House by a vote of 63-30, largely along party lines: Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) broke ranks to vote against the bill.
If passed, "The Enact the Indecent Exposure Modernization Act" would ban drag and gender performances outside of "adult cabaret" venues or in any public venue where a minor may be present.
Public performances that meet the definition of obscenity are already banned under Ohio law.
Anti-LGBTQ+ language in the bill would disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ performers, heavily restricting "performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer's or entertainer's biological sex using clothing, makeup, prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers ..."
Additionally, a separate section of the bill that substitutes the phrase "private part" for "private area" would also help criminalize trans and gender non-conforming people who use gendered public facilities during daily life.