In what might be the lamest of lame-duck sessions Ohio has ever seen, with a rush of anti-LGBTQ+ bills being introduced and passed into law across the the Ohio State legislature, the Ohio House of Representatives State and Local Government Committee convened on December 10 for a packed agenda of roughly 16 bills receiving testimony. Amongst the pack, two proposals stood out for their potential to reshape Ohio’s legal landscape on LGBTQ+ protections.
These bills—House Bill 157 and House Bill 225—address issues ranging from hate crime enforcement to the official recognition of Pride Month. While their objectives differ, both share a common goal: advancing equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ Ohioans.
House Bill 157: establishing a Bureau of Hate Crimes
House Bill 157, introduced by Reps. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) and Anita Somani (D-Dublin), proposes the creation of a Bureau of Hate Crimes within the Attorney General’s Office. If enacted, the bureau would focus on investigating and deterring crimes motivated by prejudice, specifically extending protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity—gaps currently unaddressed by Ohio’s existing laws.
“HB 157 would make crimes motivated by actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, nation of origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity fall under the jurisdiction of the Attorney General,” Rep. Weinstein said in a statement. “This bill would provide legal protection for LGBTQ+ individuals and enhance Ohio’s ability to track, prevent and prosecute hate crimes at the state level, building on the federal framework.”
Ohio’s hate crime laws are notably outdated as Ohio remains one of 14 states that does not have a law providing legal protections to hate crimes committed against LGBTQ+ individuals, and the need for such protections has only grown more urgent.
“Only about one-third of hate crime victims report to law enforcement,” said Rep. Somani in her testimony. “Verbal harassment, for instance, often accompanies physical violence, yet many incidents go unreported. Creating a state-level office to coordinate reporting would help us address this issue more effectively.”
The bill’s provisions would also improve data collection, a critical step in understanding the scope of hate crimes across the state. “It would also bridge data gaps and provide a clearer picture of the problem,” said Rep. Somani.
This bill is being heard amongst a recent rise in neo-Nazis and white supremacist groups targeting LGBTQ+ communities across the state. “We’ve seen hate crimes in Ohio this year—neo-Nazis protesting drag shows and marching through the Short North, not far from this Statehouse,” Rep. Somani said.
“Hatred should be universally condemned,” she added. ”This bill is a way for us, as legislators, to affirm that hate has no place in Ohio and to uphold equity and inclusivity for all.”
House Bill 225: Recognizing Pride Month
House Bill 225, sponsored by Reps. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) and Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland), aims to officially designate June as Pride Month in Ohio—a seemingly simple act of recognition that has faced an uphill battle for more than a decade. Since the bill’s introduction, Rep. Galonski has since left the Ohio House, leaving Rep. Brent to continue championing the bill.
Despite HB 225 being introduced five times over the past 10 years, Tuesday marked the first-ever hearing for the bill in the Ohio House. The Ohio Senate has held hearings for the bill over the years, but none advanced to a second hearing or were voted out of committee.
During her testimony, Rep. Brent emphasized the educational and affirmational impact of this legislation, stating, “HB 225 enhances education and awareness throughout our community. It sends a message to all Ohioans—regardless of their sexual identity—that they have the right to live, work, shop and form relationships with whomever they choose. Recognizing this month affirms to the hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ+ Ohioans that they are not merely tolerated but truly acknowledged, fought for and loved.”
Notably, Brent highlighted the economic potential of Pride Month. “Pride celebrations bring significant revenue to our state through parades, events and tourism. Last year alone, LGBTQ+ businesses generated $1.7 trillion in economic activity nationwide,” she said, emphasizing the bill is both morally and financially imperative for the state.
“Ohio keeps promoting itself as ‘open for business,’” said Rep. Brent, “but being open for business also means ensuring our state feels welcoming, inclusive and safe—where people feel seen and not in physical harm.”
Going forward
The State And Local Government Committee, which includes Rep. Angie King— notable for her attendance at an anti-Pride protest alongside neo-Nazi-affiliated individuals earlier last year—hosted testimony from supporters of the bills with no questions posed for either.
While the hearings represent progress for both bills, they face uncertain futures in a legislature that has historically resisted pro-LGBTQ+ measures. This Ohio House Committee hearing is procedurally required to take place, and is not indicative of the committee actively prioritizing the bills. 🔥
IGNITE ACTION
- To access contact information for members of the House State and Local Government Committee, click here.
- To view The Buckeye Flame’s full LGBTQ+ Ohio legislation guide, click here.
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