Today, Wednesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed HB 8, the so-called “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” into law behind closed doors. A moment that should have been met with transparency instead underscores the harm this legislation will bring to LGBTQ+ students across Ohio. As an LGBTQ+ person living in Ohio I cannot remain silent in the face of a law that prioritizes politics over the safety, dignity, and well-being of youth.
HB 8 sends a clear message to LGBTQ+ students: “You are not safe.” By forcing teachers and school staff to out LGBTQ+ youth, this law endangers some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Outing students without their consent is not about “protecting them”—as Governor DeWine claims—it’s about stripping away their agency, privacy, and trust in the very people they turn to for support.
LGBTQ+ students already face higher rates of bullying, mental health challenges, and suicide than their peers. Instead of fostering an environment of safety and inclusion, HB 8 actively isolates them. It ignores the reality that not all parents are supportive and, in doing so, risks exposing children to rejection, harm, or worse.
The bill’s vague and undefined language, like banning “gender ideology” and “sexuality content,” not only stifles LGBTQ+ representation but also fuels a culture of fear among educators. It paints teachers—those dedicated to nurturing young minds—as enemies rather than allies, forcing them into impossible ethical dilemmas that violate their professional standards and, more importantly, their humanity.
Governor DeWine claims this bill “welcomes” LGBTQ+ students in Ohio schools, but how can a school feel welcoming when its policies strip students of their identities, marginalize their experiences, and weaponize the authority figures meant to protect them?
Let me be clear: No law will erase LGBTQ+ youth from Ohio schools. They are resilient, courageous, and deserving of the full dignity and support that every child is owed. But it is now our responsibility—as activists, educators, allies, and community members—to stand in the gap for these students. To ensure that when their schools fail them, we do not.
To LGBTQ+ students across Ohio: You are seen. You are loved. You belong here. HB 8 will not define your worth, your potential, or your future. And to those complicit in the passage of this harmful legislation: History will remember your actions, and so will we.
I stand with organizations like Equality Ohio, TransOhio, and countless others who are already mobilizing to fight this law and mitigate its harm. Together, we must advocate for a state where every student, regardless of their identity, feels safe, respected, and empowered to thrive.
Ohio, we can—and must—do better.
#ProtectLGBTQYouth #StandAgainstHB8 #SafeSchoolsForAll #LGBTQRights
