House Democrats Host Press Conference Celebrating Pride Month, Opposes Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation

COLUMBUS – Members of the Ohio House Democratic Caucus today hosted a press conference with LGBTQ+ advocates, and members of the LGBTQ+ community where they unveiled their June 2025 Pride Month legislative package.

“Today, here in Ohio and across the country, extremist legislators are introducing bill after bill to try to erase LGBTQ+ people from public life. To tell trans kids they don’t belong. To roll back rights and dignity hard fought and won,” said Rep. Tristan Rader (D-Lakewood). “So, we’re not just here to remember history—we’re here to make it. We’re introducing legislation that protects LGBTQ+ people, affirms their dignity, and defends their right to be who they are.”

The members and advocates came together to reject attacks on LGBTQ+ Ohioans and champion proactive legislation—like protecting marriage equality, banning conversion therapy, and ensuring basic civil rights. The event lifted up voices directly impacted and delivered a clear message: we won’t be silenced, and we’ll keep fighting for a safer, more inclusive Ohio for all.

Rep. Juanita O. Brent (D-Cleveland) spoke out against all anti-LGBTQ+ legislation like House Bill (HB) 262, the so-called “Natural Family Month Act:”

“HB 262 is a direct affront to the diverse tapestry of families that make up Ohio," said Rep. Brent. "By promoting a narrow definition of family, this bill marginalizes single parents, LGBTQ+ families, adoptive families, and many others who contribute richly to our communities.”

Reps. Anita Somani (D-Dublin) and Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood) spoke about their Marriage Equality Act they will introduce:

“As leaders in this state, we have to think about how our actions affect our constituents and what messages they send. We have spent way too much time attacking empathy and inclusivity while the message we should be sending is that we believe all Ohioans deserve the right to marry the person they love, without fear that their marriage might someday be void under the law,” said Rep. Somani. “Marriage equality is something that roughly 70% of Ohio voters support. It is long overdue that we reaffirm this broad support through a constitutional amendment.”

“Our constitution should reflect who we are today, not just who we were in the past. This is about recognizing the lived realities of thousands of Ohioans who deserve to see their rights respected in principle, not just in practice. It is time we let them speak again, and this time, to say yes to equality, yes to dignity, yes to economic growth, and yes to a more just and inclusive Ohio,” said Rep. Synenberg. “That is why we are taking this step now, to ensure that Ohio’s constitution reflects what we already know to be true. Love is love. Families matter. And every Ohioan deserves equal protection and dignity under the law.”

Rep. Karen Brown (D-Symmes Twp) spoke about her introduction of the P.R.I.D.E. Act and the Prohibiting Conversion Therapy for Minors Act:

“About 30% of adolescents and young adults in the U.S. currently identify as LGBTQ, which means the continued bullying of our youth is a losing fight. So, let’s stop fighting with our kids, let’s stop creating manufactured culture wars that hurt them. Instead, let’s listen to them. Let’s listen to their dreams, let’s listen to what they want out of life, and let’s listen to what makes them feel whole and healthy,” said Rep. Brownlee.

Advocates and community members also attended Tuesday’s press conference, supporting House Democrats in introducing positive legislation to support the LGBTQ+ community.

“LGBTQ+ Ohioans deserve to thrive. Because this is our home too. And Ohio should be a place where liberation belongs to everyone,” said Dwyane Steward, Executive Director of Equality Ohio. “Whenever our existence has been threatened the collective power of LGBTQ+ communities and its allies has always been undeniable. We have been here before. We have won before. And we will win again.”

“Drag has always been a mirror into the LGBT culture, a voice for the unheard, and a light in dark places. And yet, time and again, we see e¿orts to limit, control, or silence certain forms of expression— especially when that expression challenges norms or celebrates identities outside the mainstream,” said Veranda L’Ni, Ohio Drag Performer/Advocate. “When you try to silence drag, you're not just targeting performers—you’re trying to erase culture, history, and identity. But we will not be silenced. We will not be erased. We are protected by the law, and more importantly—we are empowered by our truth.”

House bills introduced today include: 

Ohio Fairness Act (Lett/Rader HB 136)

The bill creates the Ohio Fairness Act, which generally expands anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill does so by specifying that any provision in the Ohio Revised Code respecting discrimination on the basis of sex includes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

Prohibit Conversion Therapy for Minors Act (Brownlee/Lett HB 300)

The legislation requires that certain state boards, such as the board of nursing, state medical board, and state board of psychology, comply with this section of the revised code that prohibits health care professionals from engaging in conversion therapy when providing treatment to minors. 

P.R.I.D.E. Act (Brownlee/Brewer no bill number yet)

The Parents Rights for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Act calls for equal rights for all parents by legalizing:

• Equitable access to a full range of evidence-based medical and behavioral health care for their children 
•  Equitable access to available hygiene care for their kids, including public and school bathrooms and menstrual care products 
• Equitable access to educational opportunities that are reflective of and inclusive of all students  
• And most of all, Parents have the right to raise their children in an Inclusive, respectful, and accepting environment which honors their children’s rights to freedoms of speech and expression 

Marriage Equality Act (Somani/Synenberg no bill number yet)

This House Joint Resolution would codify marriage equality in Ohio law to ensure that the freedom to marry the person you love is never up for debate.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A picture from Tuesday’s event is attached to this release. Courtesy: Ohio House Democrats

From left to right: State Senator Beth Liston (D-Dublin), State Senator Hearcel F. Craig (D-Columbus), Rep. Somani, Rep. Rader, Rep. Brownlee, Executive Director of Equality Ohio Dwyane Steward, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood), Rep. Synenberg, Veranda L’Ni, Rep. Brent. 

The event in its entirety can be viewed here.