In the final week of June, Ohio Representatives Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) and Juanita O. Brent (D-Cleveland) introduced HB 225, which would permanently designate the month of June as Pride Month.
“I was shocked and dismayed to find out that [June] wasn’t already designated [as Pride Month],” said Galonski.
HB 225 has 18 co-sponsors, all of whom are Democrats. The bill has not yet been assigned to a committee.
This will be the fifth year in a row that this bill has been introduced into the Ohio legislature and the second time Galonski has been the primary sponsor.
In 2020, she worked to pass HB 729, identical in language to HB 225. That bill was assigned to the State and Local Government committee, but never received a hearing.
Lack of Republican support
In the past five attempts, the Pride Month bill has never had a Republican co-sponsor, though that has not been for a lack of effort aimed at bipartisanship.
“I did reach out to try to get some Republicans to carry it with me, and I was disappointed by their response,” Galonski told The Buckeye Flame in 2020. “It was shameful of [Republican representatives] not to immediately grab this win for Ohio. So, I feel like it’s their loss. But if they want to come on later, I’m not going to stay mad at them.”
The Ohio legislature has established a slew of designated dates over the past several general assemblies with Republican support, including declaring March as Maple Syrup Products Month, the last week of May as Turfgrass Week and February 21st as Rascal Flatts Day.
Moving towards the positive
HB 225 and other pro-LGBTQ+ bills, such as the Fairness Act and a conversion therapy ban, were the topic of discussion in Ohio Democratic party meetings last month.
“We asked that question ourselves, why haven’t we filed our positive bills yet?” Galonski said in response to a question about the lack of pro-LGBTQ+ bills in the Ohio legislature. “And darn it, we better get on it, especially while we’re still in June.”
Galonski noted the importance of the bill as a response to rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment.
“Positivity and love can be the exact antidote to all this hate,” said Galonski. 🔥
Ignite Action
- Do you know your state legislator? Go HERE to enter your address to find out who represents you. Then contact them. And let them know your thoughts on designating June as Pride Month in Ohio.
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