TransOhio and Equality Ohio strongly condemn the decision by the Ohio Government Oversight and Reform Committee to reject public testimony submitted by both organizations and community members regarding harmful anti-transgender language proposed in the state budget: “It is the policy of the state of Ohio to recognize two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality.”

“This testimony was submitted in accordance with all legislative rules, and it was explicitly relevant to language in the budget that aims to strip trans, nonbinary and intersex Ohioans of legal recognition,” said Dara Adkison, Executive Director, TransOhio. “Rejecting our public testimony is just another egregious attempt to silence trans voices and the voices of community members who respect our right to life, liberty, and happiness. This language has the potential to affect people receiving services from every agency in Ohio.”

Despite submitting public testimony that directly addresses and opposes this language— language that could affect every agency in the committees' jurisdiction, TransOhio and Equality Ohio received the same notice stating: “Upon review, the testimony submitted on behalf of TransOhio does not pertain to the matters before the committee and therefore cannot be accepted for public testimony.” 

Dara continued: “This language has been taken verbatim from a Federal Executive Order currently the subject of 13 lawsuits, this is something every Senate committee should be considering before potentially wasting millions of Ohio tax payer dollars in litigation.”

Equality Ohio Executive Director Dwayne Steward added,"The rejection of our testimonies is a troubling attempt to exclude the voices of those directly impacted by this harmful budget language. This provision has far-reaching implications for transgender and nonbinary Ohioans—affecting access to essential services, legal recognition, and fundamental rights. To suggest that such testimony is irrelevant to the budget process is both inaccurate and deeply concerning. Ohio’s legislative process should be transparent, inclusive, and accountable—not a mechanism to silence marginalized communities."

The budget language—asserting that sex is binary and unchangeable—not only disregards medical and legal realities but also directly contradicts the missions of both organizations, which advocate for the dignity, rights, and recognition of transgender people in Ohio.

This refusal comes at a time when anti-trans rhetoric and policies are on the rise across the country. TransOhio and Equality Ohio remain committed to resisting these attacks, standing in solidarity with trans communities, and ensuring that LGBTQ+ people in Ohio are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

------------------------------------------------------

About TransOhio:
TransOhio is the state’s leading organization serving the transgender and gender-expansive community through advocacy, education, and direct support. For more information about TransOhio and programming, please visit www.transohio.org.

About Equality Ohio:
Equality Ohio educates and advocates on behalf of LGBTQ+ Ohioans to achieve lived and legal equality. For more information about Equality Ohio, please visit www.equalityohio.org.