As of February 25, 2025, Ohio’s Senate Bill 104, signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine in November 2024, has taken effect, mandating that students in K-12 schools and universities use bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their sex assigned at birth.
This legislation, part of the “Protect All Students Act,” has sparked intense debate, with supporters arguing it protects student privacy and opponents claiming it discriminates against transgender individuals.
The law’s implementation has led to changes in school policies and facilities. Institutions like the University of Cincinnati have installed new signs designating bathrooms by biological sex, while Ohio State University has confirmed its existing facilities comply with the law. Despite these changes, concerns remain about the impact on transgender students, who may feel unsafe or excluded from their school communities.
“It makes students feel afraid and unsafe in a place where they previously felt a part of their school community,” noted Dara Adkison, executive director of TransOhio. The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio is closely monitoring the law’s implementation, though no legal challenges have been filed yet.
Protests have also emerged, with over 120 people gathering at the Ohio Statehouse to express their opposition to the law. “Trans rights are just human rights,” emphasized Scott Hammond, a Columbus resident, highlighting the broader implications of such legislation.
Ohio joins a growing list of states with similar restrictions, amidst a surge in anti-LGBTQ bills nationwide. The Human Rights Campaign reports that at least a dozen states have enacted such laws, reflecting a broader trend of legislative actions targeting the LGBTQ community.
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