Antonio Condemns Passage of Discriminatory "Bathroom Bill"

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) condemned the Ohio Senate’s concurrence of Senate Bill 104, which imposes restrictive and discriminatory provisions prohibiting students from using restrooms and other facilities that align with their gender identity if it does not match the sex they were assigned at birth.

“I am in disbelief that this is a top priority on our first session back from recess,” said Antonio. “There are so many other issues we should be working on. There should be no exception to liberty and justice for all, yet here we are telling our children that there are people who are less than. This bill is not about bathrooms. It’s about demonizing those who are different, and our children are watching and listening to the fearmongering.”

S.B. 104 originally focused on improving the state’s College Credit Plus Program but was amended on the floor by the Ohio House of Representatives to include House Bill 183, the discriminatory bathroom ban. S.B. 104 now mandates public and chartered nonpublic schools, educational service centers (ESCs), and higher education institutions designate restrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities exclusively for male or female students based on biological sex. It further prohibits these entities from allowing students to use facilities that do not align with their assigned sex at birth, banning the creation of multi-gendered or open facilities.

“Transgender people exist. They didn’t ask to be who they are. They are who they are. To them, I say – the fight for equality and dignity continues so that you can enjoy liberty and justice for all.”

Senate Bill 104 now heads to Governor DeWine for his signature.