Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story had a PDF file that contained the addresses of individuals. To maintain their privacy in the wake of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, the PDF was reuploaded with the addresses removed.
As state and federal legislation continues to target LGBTQ+ individuals, some Ohioans are asking their cities to adopt LGBTQ+ “safe haven” resolutions.
While the resolutions can take different shapes, they are generally designed to discourage city officials from fully enforcing gender-affirming healthcare bans, work towards decriminalizing those bans, and encourage officials to review policies to protect LGBTQ+ residents.
The latest example took place at the August 20 regular meeting of the Dayton City Commission, the city’s governing body. Of the 15 speakers who signed up for the public comment portion of the meeting, most took the microphone to support proposing the safe haven resolution.
Speakers argued for the city to protect their LGBTQ+ residents as anti-LGBTQ+ legislation increases the suicide rate and residents could flock to more accepting cities, affecting Dayton’s local economy.
Elizabeth Hudson, an attorney with the regional legal nonprofit Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, said she helped the Dayton Q+ Safe Haven Community Collective, a group of LGBTQ+ activists, put together a draft safe haven resolution that was sent to the Dayton City Commission in July.
If enacted, Dayton would commit to not criminally prosecuting anyone seeking or providing gender-affirming care, for allowing someone to use a restroom that corresponds to their gender identity, or if an organization “protects the privacy and confidence of a minor.”
By passing the resolution, Hudson said city officials would be declaring that “bigotry does not belong” in the city.
“It’s unfortunate to see attacks against LGBTQ+ individuals coming from so many government officials right now, and this emboldens bigotry in our community and others,” Hudson said. “Dayton’s home for many people who need a safe haven right now, who need a government that stands with them and their right to equal protection.”
The Dayton City Commission has not yet taken up proposing such a resolution.
In the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood, city council first heard public comment from multiple residents about a possible safe haven resolution during their regular meeting on June 2.
Responding to public comment, Kepple said the resolution is personal to her as she is the mother of a transgender child. She wanted to set up a meeting with community members and the nonprofit TransOhio to “talk about our approach with this.”
“I absolutely care deeply about this issue,” she said. “It is absolutely on the radar.”
Lakewood City Council has not proposed a resolution either, but a city official indicated to The Buckeye Flame that a resolution could arrive in September.
Three Ohio cities have adopted a safe haven resolution so far. Cincinnati passed a resolution in June 2023 that declared the city’s support for both residents seeking gender-affirming care, and healthcare workers who provide it.
Cleveland Heights’ passed its safe haven resolution in 2024, which affirms the city would not criminally prosecute individuals or organizations seeking or receiving gender-affirming healthcare, and the city would not cooperate with outside agencies or departments to enforce bans on that type of care.
Athens’ resolution declared last March that the city would advocate “in favor of formal decriminalization” and against prosecuting residents seeking gender-affirming healthcare. Instead of refusing to cooperate, Athens would “deprioritize assisting” outside agencies or departments trying to punish those receiving gender-affirming healthcare.
A resolution was proposed in Portsmouth but was later voted down last May. 🔥
IGNITE ACTION
- The Buckeye Flame’s 2025-2026 guide to Ohio’s LGBTQ+ legislation is available here.
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- To access an interactive map of Ohio’s state House and Senate districts, click here.
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