‘We are with you.’ Over 140 orgs and leaders publish open letter to Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community

A group of over 140 organizations, businesses and leaders published a letter to Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community on Friday to deliver a message of solidarity, affirmation and commitment to action.

“In a time when hateful rhetoric, threats, and actual acts of infiltrating legal policy aim to diminish our humanity, know that your truth, courage, existence, resistance, joy, and rest are revolutionary acts,” the letter said.

The text of the letter originated with the Central Ohio LGBTQ+ Roundtable Steering Committee and then was circulated with the opportunity for organizations and individuals to add their name to the list of signatories. The letter also listed links to LGBTQ+ community resources across the state.

In the wake of a national election where Republicans spent millions of dollars to amplify advertisements that demonized the trans community, Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community has been subjected to an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ legislative action closer to home including:

• The passing of HB 68 in January, which bans gender-affirming care for minors and bans trans female athletes from competition in kindergarten through college.
• The passing of SB 104 in November which bans all trans students, staff and visitors at public and private schools – kindergarten through college – from using multi-person restrooms that correspond with their gender.
• Additional bills that could be passed by the end of 2024 including:
  • HB 8 that would force teachers and school staff to out LGBTQ+ youth to their parents and would limit LGBTQ+ mentions in school curriculum.
  • HB 245 that would ban drag performances in public places.
  • HB 686 to ban colleges from using preferred pronouns on applications.

“We will not remain silent in the face of this oppression,” promised the letter. 🔥

Editor’s Note: This piece was updated on 12/4/24 to reflect the addition of over 90 new organization and leader signatures to the letter.

IGNITE ACTION

• Read the full letter below or here.

To our Ohio LGBTQ+ family, and especially our trans siblings,

We stand in unwavering solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Ohio, the nation, and people around the world. In the face of hate and division, we affirm love, dignity, and the right of all people to live authentically and safely.

We love you. We see you. We honor you. We are you. 

In a time when hateful rhetoric, threats, and actual acts of infiltrating legal policy aim to diminish our humanity, know that your truth, courage, existence, resistance, joy, and rest are revolutionary acts. Trans and LGBQ+ people have always existed. We always will exist. We have been and continue to be here, daring to say we know ourselves deeply and do NOT accept the societal (binary) roles placed upon us. Keep trusting your knowing. You are loved, valued, and essential to the fabric of our community. We condemn every attempt by people inside the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond to ignore and dispose of your existence to gain political or social benefits or the illusion of personal safety. There is no Queer liberation without the Transgender community.

We denounce the hate that has surfaced during and since the election, whether in protests, policies, or public discourse. These acts are not just attacks on individuals—they are attacks on the principles of community, justice, equality, freedom, and love that guide us. We will not remain silent in the face of this oppression.

To our Trans community: your existence and identity are not up for debate. Your rights, safety, and dignity are non-negotiable. We stand with you in the fight for a world where you can live fully and freely without fear.

Our commitment is to action—not just words. Together, we will show up, grieve, hold space, organize, advocate, mobilize, galvanize, and build a community rooted in care, inclusion, and respect. To be clear: you are not alone, we are with you.

Stay tuned to hear more in the near future. In the interim, please access the safe members of your support network and these numbers, links, and organizations that can support (you or us) in crisis, non-emergency challenges, and/or with wrap-around direct services for our community members. Take good care of yourselves and each other.