Action Alerts - September 5, 2025

LOVEboldly’s Action Alerts is a weekly resource curating calls to action, news, opinions, commentary, reflections, and updates on legislative actions in Ohio and the US government. We know that democracy dies in silence and darkness. This message is our candle for you.

Upcoming Program

You are invited to join LOVEboldly, Stonewall Columbus, and Over Zero for “Queering the Message: Mitigating Political Violence Through Intentional and Strategic Communications” on Thursday, September 11, from 8:30am to 4pm at Stonewall Columbus (map).

The program is free and breakfast and lunch will be provided, but advanced registration is required. For more information and to register, visit https://www.loveboldly.net/queering-the-message.

Important Announcement from LOVEboldly

This morning LOVEboldly made an important announcement about our funding, capacity, and programming earlier this morning. If you have not already read that message, we encourage you to before continuing to read this week's Action Alert. You can find the announcement on our website by clicking here.

Timely Resources

The Buckeye Flame - “Ohio LGBTQ+ Nonprofit Guide”

The Buckeye Flame - “16 LGBTQ+ Ohio podcasts you should be listening to right now, Volume 3”2

Erin in the Morning - “Anti-Trans National Legal Risk Assessment Map: August Edition”

PRRI - “Faith, Freedom, and the Future of LGBTQ Rights in America” 

What’s Catching Our Eyes in Ohio

The Buckeye Flame - “ACLU of Ohio calls out Dublin school district for restricting student’s pro-trans ‘teach-in’”

• The Columbus Dispatch - “ACLU of Ohio says Dublin Schools wrongfully restricted transgender school protest”

The Buckeye Flame - “EXCLUSIVE: “I need to be brave and show up as I am.” Ohio Rep. Christine Cockley publicly comes out as queer”

Cincinnati.com - “Trump administration demands Ohio youth prisons ax gender identity language from sex ed”

The Buckeye Flame - “A homophobic billboard in Ohio pissed her off. So this straight ally leapt into action to install a message of love.”

WOSU - “Queer coffee shop and book store opens at Stonewall Columbus”

The Buckeye Flame - “Kaleidoscope Youth Center announces leadership transition”

What’s Catching Our Eyes Beyond Ohio

NBC News - “Pope Leo meets LGBTQ Catholic advocate and vows continuity with Francis' welcoming legacy”

• Reuters - “Pope Leo meets James Martin, US priest known for LGBT ministry”

• America - “Pope Leo meets with Father James Martin, seen as a sign of support for ministry with L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics”

• Outreach - “Father James Martin: Pope Leo’s message for LGBTQ Catholics”

• The Advocate - “Pope Leo XIV will continue Francis's acceptance of LGBTQ+ Catholics”

• America - “Father James Martin: Pope Leo wants to continue Francis’ approach to LGBTQ Catholics”

The Christian Century - “The blasphemy of national Christianity”

The Advocate - “Texas Republicans assigned troopers to tail this out lawmaker. He dragged them to a gay bar”

Uncloseted Media - “Google Sends Parents of LGBTQ Kids to Conversion Therapy Websites. Why?”

LGBTQ Nation - “Anti-LGBTQ+ official says separation of church & state is a ‘weapon’ to ‘dismantle our Republic’”

Global Project Against Hate and Extremism - “Deep in the Heart of Texas: Combating Billionaire Christian Nationalists in the Bible Belt”

The Guardian - “Why trans art matters more than ever: ‘It reflects how people live and love’”

The Advocate - “Javier Muñoz and Peppermint warn Congress 'we will be back to HIV wards' if funding is cut”

Slate - “‘It’s a Direct Attack on Our Identities and Communities’”

Baptist News Global - “Truth Rising film says LGBTQ issues force do-or-die ‘civilizational moment’”

The Advocate - “DOJ weighs firearm restrictions for transgender Americans after Minnesota church shooting”

Reasons for Hope

Good Faith Media - “Annual Wild Goose Festival Fosters Transformational Community”

Bills and Policies LOVEboldly is Following

Note - We will only list bills here that are new or updated. You can find all the bills we're tracking at www.loveboldly.net/billtracker.

Ohio General Assembly

The Ohio General Assembly is currently on recess.

Please reach out to admin@loveboldly.net or bhuelskamp@loveboldly.net if you have any

questions.

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