Explanation
This ordinance enacts a new chapter of the Columbus City Codes, Chapter 179, to establish the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Affairs Commission. The Commission will be comprised of 13 members. Some of the duties of the Commission include to:
1. Draft and distribute an annual report of its actions;
2. Serve as an advisory body to Council and the Mayor on issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community;
3. Recommend to Council and the Mayor measures designed to enhance the health, safety, economic opportunity, affordability, and mobility of members of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as to enhance cultural and learning opportunities, access to government, and government accountability on
matters pertaining to the LGBTQ+ community;
4. Coordinate and participate in educational programs to promote equal treatment, opportunity, and understanding of persons within the LGBTQ+ community and facilitate gatherings such as meetings, institutes, fora, or courses of instruction designed to lead to greater understanding and crafting of
solutions for matters concerning the LGBTQ+ community.
Title
To enact Chapter 179 of the Columbus City Codes to establish the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Affairs Commission.
Body
WHEREAS, members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community have demonstrated intrinsic value and immeasurable contributions to the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law's Williams Institute estimates that 4.3% of people in Ohio identify as LGBTQ+; and
WHEREAS, according to The Trevor Project's 2024 U.S. National Survey of the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, "90% of LGBTQ+ young people said their wellbeing was negatively impacted due to recent politics;" and
WHEREAS, nearly half of the National Institutes of Health grants canceled through early May of this year (totaling over $800 million) addressed the health of sexual and gender minority groups according to the New York Times; and
WHEREAS, Out Leadership, a global LGBTQ+ business platform, ranked Ohio as 39th out of 50 states
with regard to gay and trans safety; and
WHEREAS, the LGBTQ+ community is under persistent attack by the Ohio General Assembly, where various bills have been drafted and some even enacted to restrict the lives and safety of such community members, including House Bill 8 which requires teachers to notify parents of their child's gender identity and House Bill 190 which requires parental permission for a child to change their name and pronouns; and
WHEREAS, as Utah Governor Spencer Cox wrote in 2022 in response to the Utah state legislature's attacks on trans youth in sports, "Rarely has so much fear and anger been directed at so few...I want them to live. And all the research shows that even a little acceptance and connection can reduce
suicidality significantly;" and
WHEREAS, residents and elected officials will benefit from formalizing a structure to solicit feedback and input from the LGBTQ+ community; NOW, THEREFORE;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Chapter 179 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby enacted per the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That of the original appointments to the LGBTQ+ Commission, the Mayor and City
Council shall each appoint one member two members to serve a one-year term, one member two members to serve a two-year term,
and one member two members to serve a three-year term. The Mayor and City Council shall jointly appoint the
inaugural chair of the Commission, who shall serve a three-year term and be eligible for reappointment
not more than once.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.