To the Editor,
I was heartbroken and outraged to read that a Transphobic bill erroneously called “Protect All Students Act,” was signed into law on Tuesday by Republican Governor Mike Dewine.
The only students that this bill pretends to protect are heterosexual students, as this bill is hostile to the legal civil rights of LGBTQ+ people and denies them the basic human right and dignity of using the bathroom, locker room, or any facility or overnight accommodation as they self-identify.
This bill appears to be another example of Christian Nationalism shoving traditional conservative morals onto LGBTQ+ families and is very intolerant.
I find it ironic that those who pretend to be ”pro-life” and supposedly care about all kids, can actively work to harm those in the LGBTQ+ community that they appear to hate.
My suggestion is to stop obsessing about gender altogether as the male and female label is harmful and an unnecessary identifier.
It would be better to eliminate gender on every legal document as we are all an ”H” Human.
It’s better to make all activities and sports co-ed so kids can learn to see each other as equals, because separate is never equal, and is the reason why Title IX was passed because of sex-based discrimination.
A better way to identify kids and adults is with six markers: their chosen name, a photo, height, weight, hair, and eye color, that’s it.
I would encourage our Ohio legislators to find real ways to protect kids by advocating for more gun control laws, clean air and water, affordable housing and health care, support public education by keeping it secular, and support LGBTQ+ rights.
In 2026, Ohioans will elect a new governor because of term limits and hopefully this new governor will be more supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.
Nancy Dollard
Lexington High School Graduate
Uniontown, Ohio