🚨 Action Alert - HB249 - Drag Ban 🚨

TLDR - Ohio House Bill 249 (HB249), the Drag Ban, is up for opponent testimony on Wednesday, March 18, before the House Judiciary Committee. We need people to testify against the bill both in person and in writing. For instructions on how to testify see the bottom of this message.

HB249 - What is it?

HB249 is a near-complete ban on the artistic expression known as drag. Under the bill drag would only be allowed in age-restricted “adult cabarets.” However, the bill is vague and poorly written. Under this bill it is entirely possible that Transgender people could be charged simply for “exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer’s or entertainer’s biological sex using clothing, makeup, prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers.”

What are LOVEboldly’s concerns?

HB249 not only criminalizes a legitimate art form with important social and historical meaning for the LGBTQIA+ community, the bill’s language is overly broad and vague. It could be used to criminalize the very existence of Trans people going about their lives.

In fact, HB249’s language would criminalize the public ministry of Transgender clergy and ministry leaders if people under the age of 18 were present in their congregations.

Don’t just take our word for it…

Our partners at Equality Ohio have put together a great set of guidelines and talking points for discussing HB249. You can find that document by clicking here.

What can you do to push back?

We need people to testify in-person against HB249 or to submit written testimony. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, at 9:30am in Room 017 at the Statehouse.

You must submit your testimony (in-person or written) no later than Tuesday, March 17 at 9:30am (24 hours prior to the hearing). Submit your testimony via email to OHRJudiciaryCommittee@ohiohouse.gov along with a witness slip (click here to download the witness slip).

Please send a copy of your testimony to us at admin@loveboldly.org.

We are particularly looking for clergy to testify in person and in clerics if possible.

ALSO, please consider including this information in your announcements on Sunday or discussing it with your congregations during another part of your Sunday activities.

Have questions?

Contact Rev. Dr. Ben at bhuelskamp@loveboldly.org.