In a landmark decision on Tuesday evening, August 19, Whitehall City Council unamimously passed an ordinance that simultaneously bans conversion therapy for minors and legalizes LGBTQ+ inclusive non-discrimination protections. This makes Whitehall the 37th location in Ohio to pass an LGBTQ+ inclusive non-discrimination protections and the 14th location to ban conversation for minors.
This critical step ensures legal protection from discrimination in the City of Whitehall for all residents, including those who are LGBTQ+, and it ensures that LGBTQ+ youth in Whitehall will no longer be subjected to the harmful and discredited practice, which has been widely condemned by medical and mental health professionals.
"Whitehall happens to be my community. It’s where I do much of my grocery shopping, where I get my hair done, and where I order lots of takeout. As a queer individual, I am personally elated that Whitehall has passed this ordinance,” said Joseph Soza, Equality Ohio’s Central Ohio Organizer. “Considering that my home address happens to be on the Columbus side of the Whitehall-Columbus border, I was previously living with the awkward scenario of having legal protections at home, but not in many of the public spaces I frequent in Whitehall. Until we achieve statewide non-discrimination protections, I know that most Ohioans find themselves in a similar situation. While I’m grateful for the initiative taken by cities like Whitehall, it continues to be disappointing that we don’t have these protections statewide.”
The passage of this ordinance follows tireless advocacy from city officials, local residents and community leaders. Equality Ohio commends Whitehall City Council Members for their unanimous approoval of Ordinance 61-2025.
Amy Harcar (Champion of this ordinance)
Thomas Potter (President of Council) (absent)
Devin Brown
Gerald Dixon
Lori Elmore
Joanna Heck
Larry Morrison
Amy Smith
Whitehall joins a growing list of Ohio cities taking action to protect and affirm their LGBTQ+ community members, in the absence of statewide protections.
The fight continues at the Ohio Statehouse. In February of this year, Ohio Senator Nickie Antonio (D-23) introduced Senate Bill 70, the Ohio Fairness Act, for the 12th time. This bill was first introduced in Ohio in 2003. Senators Nickie Antonio and Beth Liston (D-16) also introduced Senate Bill 71—the statewide version of a conversion therapy ban. Both bills have yet to receive committee hearings.
Equality Ohio urges the community to call their legislator and advocate for the passage of these statewide protections. According to the Public Religion Research Institute, more than 70 percent of Ohioans believe in nondiscrimination laws for LGBTQ+ people. Despite the rhetoric from the state and local level, when we fight at home, we win at home.
“The battle for the soul of America has always started at home. Equality Ohio got its start in a church basement 20 years ago when 60 people came together and declared, ‘Not on my watch!’” said Dwayne Steward, Equality Ohio’s Executive Director. “Equality Ohio is embarking on a journey to flip the state back to equality through our bold new local advocacy strategy. We have won before. And we will win again. But only if we do so together.”
Equality Ohio remains committed to supporting the next city ready to step up. Contact us at localadvocacy@equalityohio.org to join the fight for equality in your area of Ohio.
About Equality Ohio
Founded in 2005, Equality Ohio is a statewide nonprofit advocacy organization working to build a better Ohio for LGBTQ+ people. Through legal services, policy advocacy, public education, and coalition building, we fight every day to ensure that all Ohioans—regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression—can live with safety, dignity, and freedom.
Learn more at www.equalityohio.org
Follow us on instagram @equality.ohio
