Cleveland Clinic Settlement Facts:
What just happened?
Cleveland Clinic entered into a settlement agreement with the DOJ and the state of Ohio related to gender-affirming medical care for trans youth.
The Clinic will no longer provide gender-affirming care to transgender minors and has committed to restrictions for twenty years at all Cleveland Clinic facilities.
The Clinic also agree create a “detransition clinic” as part of the settlement agreement.
Does this mean all gender-affirming care for transgender youth has ended in Ohio?
No. While access to care has become increasingly difficult it is not banned.
The (un) SAFE Act (HB68) allows continued care in limited circumstances for trans youth in Ohio. For a full details: transohio.org/hb68
Does the settlement agreement affect adults?
No, the settlement does not directly affect trans adults
Adults who receive gender-affirming care through Cleveland Clinic may continue to get care through them or make other medical decisons
My child is currently a Cleveland Clinic patient. What should we do?
Families should contact their care team directly to understand how the settlement may affect their specific situation. It may be helpful to request copies of medical records and discuss referral options if ongoing care will be impacted
Join our family support group, Strength in Numbers, to connect and resource share with other families
What happens next?
Is the DOJ Investigation over?
The DOJ investigation of Cleveland Clinic’s pediatric and adolescent gender-affirming care has concluded with the settlement agreement. However, the settlement includes ongoing compliance, reporting, and enforcement provisions. This means DOJ involvement may continue even though the active investigative phase is considered closed.
The DOJ may still be investigating other hospital systems.
There is no evidence that personal or patient information has been accessed by the DOJ at any Ohio hospital system.
Will the settlement agreement become invalid if the law changes?
No. A settlement agreement is a contract, not a law, and it will remain binding even if the underlying legal landscape later changes. It is to last for 20 years.
TransOhio is furious and deeply concerned that
Ohio’s Cleveland Clinic has entered into a settlement agreement that will further restrict access to gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth and adolescents in Ohio.
THE CLEVELAND CLINIC HAS ABANDONED TRANS YOUTH PATIENTS PROMISING TO NOT TREAT THEM FOR 20 YEARS.
Cleveland Clinic, once a highly respected medical institution, continues to show that maintaining medical integrity is no longer its priority by jumping to the front of the line to comply not with science and medicine, but cruelty and anti-trans hate. Detransition services were always a part of gender-affirming care; there continues to be no increased need, and it is a bigoted, sad performative farce that the Clinic is choosing to promote. No amount of leading with cruelty will stop trans youth from growing into amazing trans adults; Ohio is incredibly trans and queer, and no one person, hospital, or government agency will change that. We know who we are, we'll look out for each other, and that's all that matters today and always.
The landscape of transgender healthcare in Ohio has changed dramatically over the past several years. Families have been forced to navigate shifting laws, changing hospital policies, long waitlists, and increasing barriers to care. The Cleveland Clinic announcement is another significant development that will likely affect many patients across the state. The Clinic’s current farce does not currently affect adult gender-affirming care.
We encourage families experiencing hardship due to this devastating news to contact TransOhio to learn more about available resources and support, including our Emergency Fund, which will be open for new submissions the first week of every month for the foreseeable future.
To every trans youth in Ohio who may be feeling anxious, discouraged, or uncertain about the future: there are people throughout this state who care deeply about you and your well-being. You know who you are, and no hospital or government agency gets to tell you otherwise.
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TransOhio is Ohio's statewide transgender advocacy and community organization. Through education, advocacy, support, and community
Happy Pride Ohio!
Catch our staff, board, interns, volunteers, information about our resources, and handmade flags at events statewide!
So we handmade (painted, cut and glued) our gender pride flags this year...
Flags made by trans people for trans people, and each one is unique just like all of us
💚🏳️⚧️
PRIDE IN THIS YEAR
Pride has always been about survival, about resistance, about making our space.
When we think about the Black trans women who fought back in 1969, let us think about what fighting back looks like now. And remember that our struggles are not new even if we feel them differently in this moment.
Remember that trans and queer joy is resistance.
Direct attacks and propaganda, aimed at undermining our rights and well-being are creating fear, anxiety, stress and uncertainty. But even in the face of adversity, we remind our community that we are resilient, and our strength is our ability to come together in mutual and creative support for one another.
It is okay to feel joy, fear, and uncertainty at once.
It is crucial that we all
prioritize mutual care for one another, hope, dream of, and demand the future we want, not only our present survival.
New Legal Services Coordinator Announcement!
We are excited to welcome our new Legal Services Coordinator Madeline. She is a great community leader who has been helping out with some of our programs over the past year.
We wish our previous coordinator all the best in his next chapter!
Madeline Eckhart, 36, has been an out and proud trans woman for 15 years, fighting for rights and visibility all the way. Part of the all-transgender band DreamStates, she's eager to provide coordination and assistance for our community, making difficult processes much easier.
Remember, the Ohio Name Change Legal Clinic is the second Wednesday of every month by appointment: https://www.transohio.org/legalclinic
Emergency Fund;
REMINDER: Intake will be open starting the morning of Monday, June 1, until the night of Sunday, June 7
The intake form will now be open only during the first week of the month (1st through the 7th).
Everyone who applies during those 7 days will be contacted (and receive funds if relevant) by the end of that month.
Folks in imminently dangerous situations should still email us at emergency@transohio.org and we will try to help ASAP
New Board Members Announcement!
We are so excited to welcome two new awesome board members to the TransOhio Team (Eric and Kieran)!
Eric:
Based in Central Ohio, Eric has been working as the Senior Business Manager at Kaleidoscope Youth Center for a couple of years now, and has actively worked within the LGBTQ+ community for over 5 years. In his free time Eric dabbles in photography. He loves taking pictures of landscapes and enjoys night photography. He is also teaching himself how to DJ.
Kieran:
Kieran Robertson (he/they) is many things- a historian, a community fundraiser, a proud husband and dog dad, and a trans man. His advocacy is inspired by the indomitable Lou Sullivan, whose activism paved the way for gay and bisexual trans men today. Kieran is honored to be joining the board of TransOhio and working with and for trans Ohioans.
This is Real, Yes
In May 2026, The White House released its United States Counterterrorism Strategy, a 16-page report equating “pro-transgender” ideologies to domestic terrorism and labeling trans Americans as a threat to democracy.
This is not a joke. This is a threat.
This blurring of the line between actual violence and basic advocacy is dangerous.
As trans people, we must continue building community connections and supporting each other.
Keep being unapologetically yourself and know you’re not alone in any of this.
TransOhio's Emergency Fund
Reopening May 1st!
Thank you so much for all of your donations so that we can reopen on time!
Please keep it up so we can stay open.
In addition to reopening, we are moving to an updated intake process to help us run the Fund more efficiently.
Based on community feedback, we will be making the following update starting in May:
The intake form will now be open only during the first week of the month (1st through the 7th).
Everyone who applies during those 7 days will be contacted (and receive funds if relevant) by the end of that month.
Folks in imminently dangerous situations should still email us at emergency@transohio.org and we will try to help ASAP
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Emergency Fund Milestone!
Over $200,000 in funds
shared in the last 2 years!
A handful of examples of how we got here:
One drag show kept 6 trans people from losing their apartments & staying housed.
One piece of original artwork got two trans people their 3 month supplies of HRT.
One tattoo got 4 trans people bus fare to get to medical appointments.
One concert got 3 trans people relocated safely out of dangerous situations.
Please help us continue making this community impact if you have capacity!
TransOhio’s Emergency Fund
Winter ‘26 Community Testimonials:
“Thank you..., your organization basically saved my life”
“The emergency fund has single-handedly been able to start my transition, and fully fund all travel, appointments, and prescription costs that I would never be able to afford otherwise.”
“I'm so grateful you've been able to help so many people including me.”
Whether you’re in need of funds, resources or advice,
our emergency fund volunteers are there to help you navigate your needs
Emergency Fund Information:
https://www.transohio.org/emergency-fund
Donate:
tinyurl.com/transohiofund
Apply:
tinyurl.com/transemergencyfundapp
Volunteer:
https://www.transohio.org/volunteer
Franklin County
Clinic success!
Nearly 100 helped!
Thank you to all of the volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and notaries who made this clinic possible, some donating 8 hours of their day to help with name and gender updates!
Thank you to the Franklin County Probate court for hosting us, to Judge Mackey, Magistrate Green, Chief Deputy Clerk Wonnell, and all of the court staff for coming in on a Saturday and making everything run so smoothly! You’re truly exceptional and we appreciate you!
Thank you to our community partners for this clinic Equality Ohio, Black Trans Men of Ohio, and BQIC for all of your support!
And thank you to everyone who donates to TransOhio so that we can continue to be there for the community and pay for folks' document fees as they need. This is a group effort!
"This is who we are, this is what community looks like, this is TransOhio"
Today, we celebrate Nonbinary Parents Day! 💛🤍💜🖤
This day honors the incredible nonbinary parents who are raising, loving, and supporting their children—as well as cisgender parents and caregivers who uplift and affirm their nonbinary kids every single day.
Families come in many forms. And gender diversity is something to be celebrated, not erased! We see you.
UPDATE: HB249 Assigned to Senate Judiciary Committee
For people who want / have capacity to reach out to legislators, target your personal state Senator and Senate Judiciary: bit.ly/ContactOhioLeg
No hearing has been scheduled yet
Sign up for alerts direct from the legislature here: legislature.ohio.gov/authentication/create-account
4/16/26
FACT CHECK
No, Ohio has not criminalized being transgender in public
No, Ohio has not criminalized drag performance or pride celebrations
No, makeup is not criminialized
No, it is not illegal to drive in Ohio as a trans person and/or visibily gender nonconforming person
HB 249 has nothing to do with bathorooms, IDs, or Birth Certificates
HB 249 is not law. It has passed the Ohio House, and Assigned to Senate Judiciary committee; but no, it’s not law today
Yes, HB 249 is ambiguous!
Yes, HB 249 creates confusion, it is written to do so intentionally
Yes, HB 249 targets gender non-conforming people, trans people just living, cis people that don’t dress to perceived norms, drag performers, trans people performing, and others
Yes, HB 249 passed the Ohio House in March; Assigned to Senate Judiciary committee in April; but no, it’s not law today
HB249 Is Not Law Today!
Now that HB249 has passed the House, it must go to the Senate for committee hearings, then a floor vote, and then the Governor’s desk.
It has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary committee.
We have time before it moves more, if it moves more.
For people who want to reach out to legislators, target your personal state senator: bit.ly/ContactOhioLeg
Franklin County Birth Certificate and Name Change Clinic
Saturday, April 18th
Franklin County Probate Court
373 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215
9am until 1:00pm!
Parking: 50 East Mound Parking Lot ( Mound is one way, enter from the Noble Street Side)
What We'll Have:
Trained volunteer attorneys
Trained volunteer notaries
Community Resources
Court employees to process Franklin County applications
Financial assistance will be available
for those who qualify.
Applications will be taken on site.
Who is eligible:
For name change:
Franklin County resident for at least 60 days
For Ohio birth certificate correction you must:
Be born in Franklin County
Currently live in Franklin County
Or have a Mom who was a Franklin County resident at the time of your birth
(SUGGESTED)
WHAT TO BRING:
Your questions!
Government-issued photo ID
Copy of birth certificate
Proof of any Prior Name Change
FACT CHECK
No, Ohio has not criminalized being transgender in public
No, Ohio has not criminalized drag performance or pride celebrations
No, makeup is not criminialized
No, it is not illegal to drive in Ohio as a trans person and/or visibily gender nonconforming person
HB 249 has nothing to do with bathorooms, IDs, or Birth Certificates
HB 249 is not law. It has passed the Ohio House, and waits to be assigned a committee in the Senate…
FACT CHECK
Yes, HB 249 is ambiguous!
Yes, HB 249 creates confusion, it is written to do so intentionally
Yes, HB 249 targets gender non-conforming people, trans people just living, cis people that don’t dress to perceived norms, drag performers, trans people performing, and others
Yes, HB 249 passed the Ohio House in March; but no, it is not law today
HB249 IS NOT LAW TODAY
Now that HB249 has passed the House, it must go to the Senate for committee hearings, then a floor vote, and then the Governor’s desk.
It has not yet been assigned to a Senate committee.
We have time before it moves more, if it moves more.
For people who want to reach out to legislators, target your personal state senator
HB249: Proposed age restriction on drag performance and perceived transgender performance
Bill Summary:
Creates the crime, “unlawful adult cabaret performance,” defined as “recklessly” putting on any “performance” that is “harmful to juveniles or obscene” and that features “performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer's or entertainer's gender assigned at birth using clothing, makeup, prosthetics or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers” outside of an “adult cabaret” venue.
Brief History;
HB245 from last year, nearly identical and failed:
What has changed for this year’s version is it now defines a person’s private area instead of a person’s private parts as what shall not be exposed.
What’s the current status and timeline for HB249:
(As of 4/6/26) It has been passed by the House, now it need to be assigned a committee in the Senate, then needs to be heard in the Senate committee with multiple hearings, voted out of committee, heard on the Senate floor, then pas
The federal government is trying to rescind a rule that protects LGBT kids in foster care! Say NO way by Monday: https://tinyurl.com/LGBTQIfoster
This TDOV we want to focus our visibility on the liberating power of being seen by other trans people.
With that in mind please enjoy our newest community zine; full of Community Joy, Rage & Defiance, Sadness & Grief, and Hope
https://www.transohio.org/transohio-zines
#tdov #transdayofvisibility
