Ohio Senate Approves Budget with Anti-LGBTQ+ Provisions

The Ohio Senate has approved the state’s two-year budget, maintaining a series of contentious anti-LGBTQ+ provisions that were initially passed by the house. Among the notable policies included in the budget are the recognition of only two sexes, male and female, based on a policy that echoes former President Donald Trump’s executive order, claiming these sexes are immutable and based on ‘fundamental and incontrovertible reality.’ The budget also bans Medicaid funding for mental health services that promote or affirm gender transition, and restricts funding for youth shelters supporting transgender youth. Library policies are also affected, with mandates requiring placement of materials related to sexual orientation or gender identity out of minors’ view. Additionally, the bill prohibits menstrual products in men’s restrooms in public buildings and limits the display of flags to the official Ohio state flag only, effectively banning Pride flags from government grounds. The budget was passed with a vote of 23 to 10, largely along party lines, with one senator, Louis W. Blessing III, voting against it. The bill does not include proposed changes to driver’s licenses or birth certificates to reflect transgender individuals’ sex at birth. While efforts by Senate Democrats to remove some of the anti-LGBTQ+ language through amendments were unsuccessful, the legislative process continues as the House has not yet concurred with the Senate’s version. Lawmakers are scheduled to meet in committees to reconcile differences before the bill is sent to Governor Mike DeWine, who has the authority to veto specific lines of the budget.