FACT CHECK No, Ohio has not criminalized being transgender in public No, Ohio has not criminalized drag performance or pride celebrations No, makeup is not criminialized No, it is not illegal to drive in Ohio as a trans person and/or visibily gender nonconforming person HB 249 has nothing to do with bathorooms, IDs, or Birth Certificates HB 249 is not law. It has passed the Ohio House, and waits to be assigned a committee in the Senate… FACT CHECK Yes, HB 249 is ambiguous! Yes, HB 249 creates confusion, it is written to do so intentionally Yes, HB 249 targets gender non-conforming people, trans people just living, cis people that don’t dress to perceived norms, drag performers, trans people performing, and others Yes, HB 249 passed the Ohio House in March; but no, it is not law today HB249 IS NOT LAW TODAY Now that HB249 has passed the House, it must go to the Senate for committee hearings, then a floor vote, and then the Governor’s desk. It has not yet been assigned to a Senate committee. We have time before it moves more, if it moves more. For people who want to reach out to legislators, target your personal state senator HB249: Proposed age restriction on drag performance and perceived transgender performance  Bill Summary: Creates the crime, “unlawful adult cabaret performance,” defined as “recklessly” putting on any “performance” that is “harmful to juveniles or obscene” and that features “performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer's or entertainer's gender assigned at birth using clothing, makeup, prosthetics or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers” outside of an “adult cabaret” venue. Brief History; HB245 from last year, nearly identical and failed: What has changed for this year’s version is it now defines a person’s private area instead of a person’s private parts as what shall not be exposed. What’s the current status and timeline for HB249: (As of 4/6/26) It has been passed by the House, now it need to be assigned a committee in the Senate, then needs to be heard in the Senate committee with multiple hearings, voted out of committee, heard on the Senate floor, then pas

The federal government is trying to rescind a rule that protects LGBT kids in foster care! Say NO way by Monday: https://tinyurl.com/LGBTQIfoster

This TDOV we want to focus our visibility on the liberating power of being seen by other trans people. With that in mind please enjoy our newest community zine; full of Community Joy, Rage & Defiance, Sadness & Grief, and Hope https://www.transohio.org/transohio-zines #tdov #transdayofvisibility

Trans Day of Funding A new annual day, a day for cis people to give trans people money. A new annual celebration, we hope you’ll join us this year: transohio.org/donations #tdof #transdayoffunding

TransOhio’s Emergency Fund will temporarily pause both sharing funds and accepting applications We will continue to share resources and material support So what does this mean    Create a Fundraiser or Donate Today! Donate: https://www.transohio.org/donations We have been sharing an average of $10-15k per month with our Ohio trans community members, thanks to donations from the community. Recently, we increased the amount of volunteers helping with the Fund, which was great, we helped more people. But that meant we went through funds much faster, without an increase in donations. Most people who we share funds with also benefit from being connected with other resources too. For this reason, we will still have calls for folks in April who would like to have those conversations. To those we have talked to this month and not yet shared funds with: you will get them as soon as they’re donated. To those who have applied and not been contacted, you will be contacted the first week of April with options. Emergency Fund Needs You! Can you help us get back on track for April?   Our mutual aid is made possible by community fundraising through concerts, bake sales, art, t-shirts, readathons, drag shows, cycling, social media, small donations, just pitching in and so much more. TransOhio’s March 2026 Emergency Fund Milestone! Over $200,000 in funds shared in the last 2 years!  A handful of examples of how we got here: One drag show kept 6 trans people from losing their apartments & staying housed. One piece of original artwork got two trans people their 3 month supplies of HRT. One tattoo got 4 trans people bus fare to get to medical appointments. One concert got 3 trans people relocated safely out of dangerous situations. Please help us continue making this community impact if you have capacity! TransOhio’s Emergency Fund Winter ‘26 Community Testimonials: “Thank you..., your organization basically saved my life” “The emergency fund has single-handedly been able to start my transition, and fully fund all travel, appointments, and prescription costs that I would never be able to afford otherwise.” “I'm so grateful you've been able to h

The Ohio House House has passed some garbage, now what? HB249 is not law today HB249 is a proposed age restriction on drag performance & perceived transgender performance Now that it has passed the House, it must go to the Senate for committee hearings, then a floor vote, and then the Governor’s desk. We have time before it moves more, if it moves more. HB249: Proposed Age Restriction on Drag Performance and Perceived Transgender Performance Links where to submit testimony both to the committee directly and anonymously will be posted here along with the full text version of this guide: https://www.transohio.org/calls-to-action HB249 would limit drag performances to 18+ venues, making it a crime to perform in drag in any other place a minor may be present. Anyone who is trans, gender nonconforming, or simply doesn’t fit into an enforcer’s perception of your gender while performing could be targeted. Bill Summary: Summary: Creates the crime, “unlawful adult cabaret performance,” defined as “recklessly” putting on any “performance” that is “harmful to juveniles or obscene” and that features “performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer's or entertainer's gender assigned at birth using clothing, makeup, prosthetics or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers” outside of an “adult cabaret” venue. Brief History; HB245 from last year, nearly identical and failed: What has changed for this year’s version is it now defines a person’s private area instead of a person’s private parts as what shall not be exposed. What’s the current status and timeline for HB249: In the House Judicial Committee and preparing for the first opposition hearing, it must have multiple hearings, get passed out of committee, then passed by the House, then needs to be heard in the Senate committee, then passed out of the Senate, then signed by the Governor. It could also be added onto another bill like HB183 the bathroom ban did, but that is not the current outlined path. Who Could this bill be applied to: - Trans people just living their lives? Yes - Cis people that don’t dress to perceived norms? Yes......

Franklin County and Surrounding Counties Birth Certificate and Name Change Clinic Saturday, April 18th Franklin County Probate Court 373 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215 9am until 1:00pm! Trained volunteer attorneys will be available to help you complete forms and discuss your questions concerning legal name change, birth certificate correction, and more from Notaries will be available to witness signatures! Probate magistrates will also be able to process filings and may issue orders on site! Financial assistance will be available for those who qualify. Applications will be taken on site. Who is eligible: For name change: Residents of Franklin County, or surrounding counties, for at least 60 days For correction of birth certificate sex marker: Residents of Franklin County, or accepting surrounding counties, for at least 30 days, and born in Ohio. (SUGGESTED) WHAT TO BRING: Your questions! Government-issued photo ID Copy of birth certificate COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH FILING: $128 for name change (Franklin) $78 for birth certificate correction (Franklin) Fees vary for name changes in surrounding counties

Hamilton County and Surrounding Counties Clinic Success! Thank you to all of the volunteer attorneys, notaries, and clinicians who made this clinic possible, some donating 7 hours of their day to help with name and gender updates! Thank you to our community partners Equality Ohio, Caracole, Transform, Black Trans Men of Ohio, and Trans Masc Cincy for all of your support! And thank you to everyone who donates to TransOhio so that we can continue to be there for the community. and pay for folks document fees as they need. This is a group effort! "This is who we are, this is what community looks like, this is TransOhio"

TransOhio’s Emergency Fund Milestone! Over $200,000 in funds shared in the last 2 years! Mutual aid made possible by community fundraising through concerts, bake sales, art, t-shirts, readathons, drag shows, cycling, social media, small donations, just pitching in and so much more. Create a Fundraiser, Volunteer with us, Donate Today! Email Us About Your Fundraiser: transohio@transohio.org Volunteer: https://www.transohio.org/volunteer Donate: https://www.transohio.org/donations A handful of examples of how we got here: One drag show kept 6 trans people from losing their apartments & staying housed. One piece of original artwork got two trans people their 3 month supplies of HRT. One tattoo got 4 trans people bus fare to get to medical appointments. One concert got 3 trans people relocated safely out of dangerous situations. Please help us continue making this community impact if you have capacity! TransOhio’s Emergency Fund Winter ‘26 Community Testimonials: “Thank you..., your organization basically saved my life” “The emergency fund has single-handedly been able to start my transition, and fully fund all travel, appointments, and prescription costs that I would never be able to afford otherwise.” “I'm so grateful you've been able to help so many people including me.” Emergency Fund Information: https://www.transohio.org/emergency-fund Donate: tinyurl.com/transohiofund Apply: tinyurl.com/transemergencyfundapp Volunteer: https://www.transohio.org/volunteer Whether you’re in need of funds, resources or advice, our emergency fund volunteers are there to help you navigate your needs

Opposition Hearing (That’s us) is scheduled for Wednesday March 18th at 9:30am with the House Judiciary Committee HB249: Proposed Age Restriction on Drag Performance and Perceived Transgender Performance Links where to submit testimony, join our discord, and our testimony guide are here: https://www.transohio.org/calls-to-action HB249 would limit drag performances to 18+ venues, making it a crime to perform in drag in any other place a minor may be present. Anyone who is trans, gender nonconforming, or simply doesn’t fit into an enforcer’s perception of your gender while performing could be targeted. Bill Summary: Summary: Creates the crime, “unlawful adult cabaret performance,” defined as “recklessly” putting on any “performance” that is “harmful to juveniles or obscene” and that features “performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer's or entertainer's gender assigned at birth using clothing, makeup, prosthetics or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers” outside of an “adult cabaret” venue. Brief History; HB245 from last year, nearly identical and failed: What has changed for this year’s version is it now defines a person’s private area instead of a person’s private parts as what shall not be exposed. What’s the current status and timeline for HB249: In the House Judicial Committee and preparing for the first opposition hearing, it must have multiple hearings, get passed out of committee, then passed by the House, then needs to be heard in the Senate committee, then passed out of the Senate, then signed by the Governor. It could also be added onto another bill like HB183 the bathroom ban did, but that is not the current outlined path. Who Could this bill be applied to: - Trans people just living their lives? Yes - Cis people that don’t dress to perceived norms? Yes - Drag performers dressed modestly? Yes - People wearing cultural clothing( ie: Kilts or Thawbs) - Trans people performing in a theater or concert? Yes - Others? Yes, this is only a few examples More details and Actions HERE: https://www.transohio.org/calls-to-action

Hamilton County and Surrounding Counties Birth Certificate and Name Change Clinic Sunday, March 22nd 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM 4138 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45223 Hosted in the Caracole Offices Residents of Hamiltion County & surrounding counties can receive help with name changes and birth certificate corrections, if available. Trained attorneys and notaries will be available all day to help complete forms and answer any questions.  What we’ll have: - Trained volunteer attorneys - Trained volunteer notaries - Community Resources Who is eligible: For name change: Residents of Hamilton County, or surrounding counties, for at least 60 days For correction of birth certificate sex marker: Residents of Hamilton County, or accepting surrounding counties, for at least 30 days, and born in Ohio. (SUGGESTED) WHAT TO BRING: Your questions! Government-issued photo ID Copy of birth certificate  Financial assistance will be available for those who qualify. Applications will be taken on site. Can't come, don't worry, sign up for our virtual monthly clinics or look through our how to guides here: https://www.transohio.org/legalclinic

TransOhio Legal Services Update TransOhio has run the Ohio Name Change Legal Clinic for over 10 years. In that time, we have helped over four thousand trans Ohioans update their names and gender markers on identity documents. Over the years, we have had various partnerships with other organizations to help support us in this important work. At this time, we’ve decided TransOhio's legal services will no longer be partnering with Equitas Health in any official capacity. This partnership has been extremely valuable in the past, but it is no longer in the best interest of our community (and hasn't been for some time). We will not be discussing this further at present. We are excited to continue running our monthly virtual version of the Ohio Name Change Legal Clinic and frequent in-person pop-up clinics. Our clinic will ALWAYS be free and available to all trans Ohioans, run by and for trans Ohioans. 3/4/2026 Get Free Legal Clinic Services: https://www.transohio.org/legalclinic

Kansas Trans ID Invalidation: What You Need To Know In February 2026, Kansas state legislature passed a law that invalidates all state IDs, driver’s licenses, and birth certificates if the sex has been updated to be anything other than what was assigned at birth. This is retroactively invalidating existing legal identification documents. This is a hateful, intentional attack on trans people. No law to do this has been introduced in Ohio. If anything like this comes up in Ohio in the near or distant future, you will not be in it alone. TransOhio is making contingency plans. We remember when we couldn’t update our IDs in Ohio and we refuse to go back. 2/26/26

There’s only ONE more day to submit your public comment on proposed federal rules that will bar parents of trans youth from receiving Medicaid and/or CHIP (Children’s Health Insuance Program) funding AND revoke hospital funding if trans patients are treated in alignment with WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) standards of care! The deadline is Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Visit https://tinyurl.com/us26cms for more information

We’re partnering with @undead.voice to offer a FREE 3-week intro to trans voice training. Learn practical exercises, get live support, and start building an affirming voice you love. ️‍⚧️ Spots are limited! Register: undeadvoice.com/joinjumpstart All Ages and All Genders Welcome!

"TransOhio opposes HB 693 because, aside from being blatantly transphobic, it undermines evidence-based child welfare protections and is not in the best interest of Ohio’s children, cis and trans alike." HB693 has been introduced, it is not law, it is not currently being implemented. What would it do IF it becomes law? Change the Ohio Revised Code! Redefine “affirming” as only affirming sex/gender that aligns with sex assigned at birth. “Affirming” a child would not be classified legally as abuse, unsafe, or not within the child’s best interest (regardless of actual best interest). It would forbid state agencies from removing children from anti-LGBTQ homes or punishing anti-LGBTQ parents/foster parents. Change Child Welfare laws and state family court laws making the whole system less safe. It would NOT directly limit care, it would effect access to care. It would NOT take children from parents who are supportive of them For more information: https://www.transohio.org/calls-to-action

Lucas County and Surrounding Counties Birth Certificate & Name Change Clinic Monday, February 23rd 12 PM to 7:30 PM 1301 Jefferson Ave, Toledo, OH 43604 Hosted in the Equality Toledo Offices Above Planned Parenthood Residents of Lucas & surrounding counties can receive help with name changes and birth certificate corrections, if available. Trained attorneys and notaries will be available all day to help complete forms and answer any questions. Snacks will be available and the food pantry will also be open. What we’ll have: - Trained volunteer attorneys - Trained volunteer notaries - Free lunch and snacks - Food pantry will be open - Community Resources Who is eligible: For name change: - Residents of Lucas County, or surrounding counties, for at least 60 days For correction of birth certificate sex marker: - Residents of Lucas County, or accepting surrounding counties, for at least 30 days, and born in Ohio. (SUGGESTED) WHAT TO BRING: - Your questions! - Government-issued photo ID - Copy of birth certificate Financial assistance will be available for those who qualify. Applications will be taken on site. COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH FILING: - $100 - name change (Lucas) - $85 - birth certificate correction (Lucas) - $70-95 - name change (Wood)