// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Ohio House Bill 249 say to the governor? "Bill me later.
| Indecent Exposure Modernization Act | |
|---|---|
| Ohio General Assembly | |
| |
| Citation | |
| Territorial extent | |
| Considered by | Ohio House of Representatives |
| Introduced by | Angela King and Josh Williams[1] |
| Introduced | April 29, 2025 |
| Summary | |
| Restricts adult cabaret performances to adult-only locations and expands the scope of what is considered an adult cabaret performance. | |
| Status: Pending | |
Ohio House Bill 249 (HB 249), also known as the Indecent Exposure Modernization Act, is a proposed law in the US state of Ohio that would restrict cabaret to adult locations only and would consider any public performer expressing a gender identity differing from their biological sex as a cabaret performer. It is generally seen as a ban on public drag performances.[2][3] It is identical to House Bill 245, a failed 2024 bill.[1][4]
Provisions
[edit]House Bill 249 would restrict cabaret performers to only being allowed to perform in adult spaces. It includes a specific provision that considers public performers who express a gender identity differing from their biological sex as adult cabaret, which would include drag performers.[5] It defines allowed adult spaces which include nightclubs, certain restaurants, and other spaces which are restricted to adults.[6]
Besides performers expressing a different gender identity from their sex, the bill would similarly restrict strippers, go-go dancers, and topless dancers to adult spaces as well.[7] It would be considered a first-degree misdemeanor if such a performance took place with a minor present and a fourth-degree felony if it is an obscene performance with minors under thirteen years old present.[8][9]
Reactions
[edit]Support
[edit]The main sponsors of the bill, Angela King and Josh Williams, as well as 42 other Republican members of the Ohio House of Representatives, all endorsed House Bill 249.[10]
Opposition
[edit]The ACLU of Ohio and Stonewall Columbus publicly opposed House Bill 249, considering it a broad attack on transgender and gender non-conforming people.[11][12] The executive director of Equality Ohio referred to it as censorship.[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Henry, Megan (July 24, 2025). "A look at what LGBTQ bills Ohio lawmakers have introduced so far". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ↑ Henry, Megan (May 12, 2025). "Ohio Republican lawmakers re-introduce drag ban bill". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ↑ Taylor, Ashley (June 3, 2025). "Which Ohio bills could become laws in 2025?". WTOL 11. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ↑ Fahmy, Natalie (June 5, 2025). "Proposed bill would restrict drag performances in Ohio". nbc4i. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ↑ Perricone, Sophia (May 14, 2025). "New Ohio bill targets drag shows amid proposed indecent exposure law changes". WTOL 11. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ↑ Rees, David (June 3, 2025). "Ohio bill would add stricter rules for drag queens". nbc4i. Archived from the original on July 27, 2025. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ↑ Comeriato, H.L. (May 29, 2025). "Ohio public drag ban has first legislative hearing". The Buckeye Flame. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ↑ Schneck, Ken (May 2, 2025). "Ohio's Proposed Drag Ban is Back: Republicans Rebrand it the 'Indecent Exposure Modernization Act'". Cleveland Scene. The Buckeye Flame. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ↑ BeMiller, Haley (June 5, 2025). "Anti-LGBTQ policies loom over Ohio Pride Month celebrations". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ↑ Schneck, Ken (April 30, 2025). "Ohio's proposed drag ban is back; Republicans rebranded it". The Buckeye Flame. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ↑ "Stop HB 249: Ohio's Drag Ban". ACLU of Ohio. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ↑ Porteous, Densil (May 11, 2025). "A Clear Stand Against HB 249". Stonewall Columbus. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ↑ Rees, David (May 1, 2025). "Ohio lawmakers revive Statehouse bill to restrict drag queen shows". nbc4i. Archived from the original on May 3, 2025. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- 2020s anti-LGBTQ movement in the United States
- 2025 controversies in the United States
- 2025 in LGBTQ history
- 2025 in Ohio
- Anti-drag sentiment
- Censorship in the United States
- Drag (entertainment) in the United States
- Legal discrimination against transgender people in the United States
- LGBTQ-related controversies in the United States
- Proposed laws of the United States
- Ohio General Assembly
- Transgender law in the United States