by why snailBuckeye flame
Ohio House Judiciary holds second hearing for HB 639 (“Affirming Families First Act”) on Wednesday, a bill that would protect parents who reject their trans children.
HB 369 redefines “certainty” that the right of parents to acknowledge only the gender of a child at birth and the rejection of their trans child will not be used against them by a court or state agency.
Wednesday’s hearing was an opportunity for proponents to testify: those in support of the bill. Among the witnesses were representatives of two organizations designated as anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center, multiple mothers who misgendered their children, and two “lesbian Democrats” who traveled to Ohio to argue that no one is actually transgender.
The hearing began with Megan Brock, an investigative reporter for The Daily Wire, a far-right publication founded by conservative provocateur Ben Shapiro.
Brock said his year-long investigation concluded that “the Cuyahoga County child welfare system was a hotbed for radical, sexist policies because of a federal grant that enabled the county to collect demographic data on youth in foster care to best support LGBTQ+ youth with disabilities.”
HB 693 would prevent state agencies from collecting information about a minor’s LGBTQ+ identity or maintaining a database of parents who deny their child’s LGBTQ+ identity without the consent of a parent, guardian or legal guardian.
After Democratic lawmakers questioned Brock about citing his research, committee Republicans quickly made their views clear.
“Talking to my constituents, people are sick of this nonsense,” said Rep. DJ Swearingen (R-Huron), clearly frustrated by questions about trans identity.
Also testifying was Laura Bryant Hanford, senior policy analyst Heritage FoundationPrimary Architect Behind Anti-LGBTQ+ President’s Transition Plan Project 2025.
Bryant Hanford spoke of the “radical ideological training that has deeply infiltrated the child protection system” and the bill’s “toxic” practice of affirming trans children.
“(This bill) is the result of extensive collaboration with parent advocates, policymakers and attorneys to establish protections for children and families targeted by radical gender ideologies,” said Bryant Hanford.
Matt Sharp, Senior Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom – An anti-LGBTQ+ hate group – Speaking in the case of Brian and Rebecca Gantt, a Vermont couple who Recently was allowed to reapply for a foster license. The Gantts have previously had their foster status questioned when they said they would not confirm the identity of an LGBTQ+ child based on their “religious beliefs”.
“HB 693 protects foster care families here in Ohio from being forced to renounce their faith as a condition of opening their homes to children in need,” Sharp said.
Lesbian Democrats enter the House
Wednesday’s advocacy hearing also featured testimony from two out-of-state witnesses — both of whom said they were lesbian Democrats — who spoke out against affirming trans youth.
A section of HB 693 would bar any state agency from “discussing or suggesting” that any “mental and emotional health treatment” that refuses to admit a trans child can be called “conversion therapy.”
Jamie Reed — who describes herself online as “a courageous public whistleblower of a US child gender clinic” who testified in 17 states in 2025 — reframed gender-affirmation care as “gay conversion” therapy and said “many adult gays and lesbians” agree with her.
“Most of them will grow up to be happy healthy gays if I’m left alone,” said Reid, Rep. In response to a question from Ismail Mohammad (D-Columbus) about whether he supports conversion therapy for trans youth. “We believe these are proto-gay kids who will become gay just like us. We see this as gay conversion therapy in its worst form.”
Lauren Leggieri, a lesbian and “lifelong Democrat”, testified that affirming trans youth is a “gay rights issue”.
“Many children transitioning socially and medically, without intervention, will become gay and bisexual adults,” Legieri said, conflating sexual orientation with gender identity.
HB 693 remains in the Judiciary Committee and has not yet been scheduled for a third hearing. 🔥
This piece has been updated to reflect the quote from Jamie Reid and to add context in response to a question from Rep. Mohammed about whether he supports conversion therapy on trans youth.
Ignite action
- To access Buckeye Flame’s Ohio 2026 LGBTQ+ Law Guide, Click here.
- To register to vote or check your voter eligibility status in the state of Ohio, Click here.
- To find contact information for your Ohio State Representative, Click here.
- To find contact information for your Ohio state senator, Click here.
- If you are a young LGBTQ+ person, please get in touch The Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor.
- If you are a transgender adult in need of immediate help, get in touch National Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
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