How Ohio’s gerrymandered districts are fueling anti-LGBTQ+ legislation – and what you can do to change it [COMMENTARY]

Late into the night on Wednesday, June 26, Ohio Republicans led by Rep. Adam Bird (R-New Richmond), amended a bill regarding the College Credit Plus Program.

Senate Bill (SB) 104 – formally titled “The College Credit Plus Bill” – was first introduced by Jerry C. Cirino (R-Kirtland) and Andrew O. Brenner (R-Delaware) in April.

The bill garnered widespread, bipartisan support, as it sought to create new pathways for Ohio High School students to access college classes via the college credit plus program.

On the night of June 26, Republican lawmakers amended the bill to include Ohio House Bill (HB) 183 – an unrelated piece of legislation banning transgender Ohioans from accessing single-sex bathrooms in schools and universities across the state.

The combined legislation passed 60-31 after members of the Ohio House had already convened for nearly twelve hours. 

Once again, this was a display of the Republican agenda to push anti-LGBTQ+ initiatives and bills without having the support of the people they claim to represent. 

Sam Shim, an Ohio based activist, Buckeye Flame Board member and parent volunteer with Trans Allies of Ohio, we dove into several issues at play concerning the bill.

“SB 104 was a good bill with bipartisan support. It strengthens the program that allows for high school students to take college courses,” Shim said. “But horribly, Republicans commandeered the bill to add a bathroom ban for students in Ohio’s schools.” 

Other issues also arise with the amendment to SB 104, including whether the legislation is constitutional after being amended to include an unrelated bill:

Ohio is one of 41 states that has a Single Subject Rule in place as a legislative.

The Ohio Constitution states: “No bill shall contain more than one subject, which shall be clearly expressed in its title.” 

Attaching  HB183 to SB 104 clearly violates this provision, as SB 104 was unrelated to the use of bathrooms in schools and universities prior to the amendment.

The only connection made is that both bills are addressing concerns with Ohio students, even though that is vague at best. 

HB183 has been viewed as a direct attack on transgender youth, preventing them from using a bathroom that aligns with their gender. States who have previously passed laws similar to HB183 have already seen its negative impacts, including the death of transgender students Nex Benedict in Oklahoma. 

“Assaults on students is a serious issue plaguing school districts,” Shim said. “The bathroom ban will result in bathrooms becoming more dangerous, and sadly, more students being assaulted. I am dismayed that the legislature is choosing to alienate students insteading of providing for their safety.” 

HB183 does not provide increases in academic programs or support for Ohio students; but rather, creates a system of fear and questioning on who should use which bathroom. Needless to say, our Ohio Republican lawmakers continue to push this narrative, regardless of the damage it will actually cause our youth. 

Siding with the national agenda of the Republican party, Ohio Republican lawmakers seemed determined to continue to push their anti-LGBTQ+ agenda – despite the many outcries from the citizens of the state to stop. 

This is why the election in November is so crucial.

Yes, we are voting on who should be President, but arguably more important is the Citizens Not Politicians ballot measure, which would “bans lobbyists and politicians from the process and instead empowers voters to choose their politicians.”

Ohio Republicans have held onto power at the Statehouse due directly to the gerrymandering of their voting districts, and anti-LGBTQ+ bills such as HB183 will continue to be proposed and passed so long as these Republican lawmakers are able to maintain power through their gerrymandered districts. 

“When politicians draw biased, ridiculously shaped voting districts to favor their own interests, it’s called gerrymandering,” reads Citizens Not Politicians’ website. “Ohio is one of the 10 most gerrymandered states. Ohio politicians even recently implemented voting districts the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional.”  

If this ballot measure would be passed by Ohio voters, the impacts would not be seen immediately, but would be reflected in the pages of history.

Our voting districts need to be based on equity, not determined by those in power with the intention of staying in power. 

This measure would provide direct representation of the Ohio voters, creating a system where politicians to truly be representatives of their districts, not the districts they believe will win them the next election. 

As voters, we must pass the Citizens Not Politicians ballot measure, as it is our chance to take back power from these politicians and remind them who they work for. 🔥

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IGNITE ACTION

• To see a full list of Ohio’s LGBTQ+-related bills, click here.
• To register to vote or to check your voter eligibility status in the state of Ohio, click here.
• To find contact information for your Ohio state representative, click here.
• To find contact information for your Ohio senator, click here.
• If you are a young LGBTQ+ person in crisis, please contact the Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor.
• If you are an transgender adult in need of immediate help, contact the National Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860