The ACLU of Ohio is committed to advocating for a criminal legal system free from discriminatory racial disparities and eliminating a two-tiered system of justice which treats those most vulnerable in our society more harshly than those with resources. This system criminalizes poverty and devastates Black and Brown communities. We believe in “Smart Justice” and are working to combat racism in our criminal legal system and decarcerate prisons and jails across Ohio while making it easier for formerly incarcerated people to re-enter their communities.
The crisis of mass incarceration did not happen on its own; fear-based and racially motivated policies created it.
Democracy is strongest when it includes us all. The ACLU of Ohio is committed to making voting more accessible, secure, and fair for all Ohioans. In 2024, we played a critical part in the One Person, One Vote coalition alongside partners to defeat Issue 1 in August 2024. Issue 1 would have raised the threshold for passing citizen-initiated constitutional amendments from 50% of the vote plus one — the standard in effect for more than 111 years — to a 60% supermajority. By rejecting Issue 1, Ohioans protected the citizen-led ballot initiative process from government overreach, securing the the core principle of one person, one vote.
For key voting information, visit the ACLU of Ohio Vote Center.
Numerous states have implemented comprehensive non-discrimination laws to protect LGBTQ individuals from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. Unfortunately, in Ohio, non-discrimination bills have been introduced and stalled every year for more than a decade. That means many LGBTQ Ohioans can still get married on Sunday, lose their housing on Monday, be denied employment on Tuesday, and be denied access to public space on Wednesday. It's time for this to end. We are hopeful that Ohio lawmakers will again introduce the Ohio Fairness Act to extend basic statewide protections to LGBTQ Ohioans by adding sexual orientation and gender identity into Ohio's non-discrimination laws.
Unfortunately, while we wait for positive legislation to be introduced, we are already combatting two regressive anti-trans bills. House Bill 6 would ban trans girls and women from playing on sports teams that match their gender identities. Transgender girls and women deserve the opportunity to build community in sports – not be ostracized. House Bill 68 would ban critical, gender-affirming healthcare for minors, while further stigmatizing the transgender and non-binary community and their needs. Important medical decisions should remain between youths, their families, and medical providers – not our politicians. This harmful legislation also negatively impacts physicians by threatening to remove the licenses of those who provide gender-affirming care and opening the door for civil lawsuits. On top of that, HB 68 places burdensome requirements on mental health professionals to report private information about their patients. We are working to combat these regressive bills alongside our partners Equality Ohio, Trans Ohio and the Human Rights Campaign.
Watch our 2021 Legislative Outreach Training video series below:
The entire playlist of training videos can be found on the ACLU of Ohio YouTube channel.
For a look at our historic legislative involvement, please visit the legislative archive page.
Visit the Ohio House and/or Ohio Senate websites: Search the bill number to read the bill’s language, check its status, and download additional documents.
