Columbus, Ohio — August 6, 2024
Today’s ruling by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to uphold House Bill 68 is a horrible blow to the transgender community and their families in Ohio and beyond. This decision endangers the lives of transgender youth by denying them essential, life-affirming healthcare and restricts their participation in sports.
Stonewall Columbus vehemently opposes HB 68. The law infringes on the rights of parents to make informed medical decisions for their children and undermines the expertise of healthcare professionals. The court’s decision prioritizes political motives over the health and safety of our youth, ignoring the overwhelming evidence that gender-affirming care is essential and life-saving.
At Stonewall Columbus, we believe that medical decisions should remain between families and their healthcare providers, not dictated by political agendas. This law undermines the rights of parents to make informed choices and targets a vulnerable group for discriminatory treatment.
Despite this ruling, our commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of transgender individuals remains unwavering. We stand with the TransOhio, Equality Ohio, ACLU and all our allies in continuing to challenge this unjust law. We urge the community to raise their voices, support advocacy efforts, and join us in ensuring that every individual can live openly and authentically.
Calls to Action
- Raise Your Voice: Contact your elected officials to express opposition to HB 68.
- Support Advocacy Efforts: Donate to organizations fighting against this ruling, including Equality Ohio and TransOhio.
- Join Our Efforts: Participate in rallies, volunteer with advocacy groups, and engage with the LGBTQ+ community.
To our transgender youth and their families: We see you, we support you, and we will continue to advocate for your rights. You deserve to live in a state that respects and affirms your identity. This ruling is a setback, but it is not the end.
[This statement can be accredit to Stonewall Columbus’ Executive Director, Densil Porteous]
- [01/24/2024] Stonewall Columbus Statement on Ohio Senate’s Override of Governor DeWine’s Veto on HB68
- [01/1o/2024] Stonewall Columbus Condemns Ohio House Action on HB68 Veto
- [12/29/2023] Stonewall Response to HB 68 Veto
- [12/14/2023] Stonewall Columbus Statement on Passage of HB 68
- [04/24/2023] Stonewall Columbus response to proposed Ohio House Bill 68
About Stonewall Columbus: Founded in 1981, Stonewall Columbus serves Central Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community by providing a wide array of advocacy, educational, cultural, community programming and connection to resources that affirm the lives of LGBTQ+ people and their accomplices. As a community-focused organization, Stonewall Columbus is committed to fostering a climate of respect and diversity within the Central Ohio area. Stonewall Columbus, an independent 501(c)(3)nonprofit, is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ community centers in the country.
