Ohio at 'high risk' for LGBTQ+ inequality, report says
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- LGBTQ+ people are at "high risk" for experiencing inequality in Ohio given the state's "regressive attitude toward trans people when it comes to hate crimes and antidiscrimination protections," a new report says.
Ohio was ranked 39th in the nation for inclusion by Out Leadership's 2025 State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index, an annual study assessing each U.S. state on markers like nondiscrimination policies, healthcare accessibility and if the state bans conversion therapy. The Buckeye State's score of 42.35 out of 100 is considerably lower than in 2024 when it was given a score of 50.35 and ranked 32nd.
Massachusetts and New York tied for first, both earning a score of 93.67, while Arkansas was again ranked last with a score of 29.50. Regionally, Ohio placed eleventh in the Midwest, while Illinois and South Dakota took the top and lowest sports, respectively. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Ohio's ranking in Out Leadership's 2024 ranking.
Out Leadership labeled Ohio as under "high risk" for LGBTQ+ discrimination given the state is not home to law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in housing or public accommodations. The Buckeye State has also failed to install a ban on anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy and has not removed antiquated HIV criminalization laws passed in the 1980s.
Like previous Out Leadership rankings, the report argues businesses are more likely to prosper if Ohio were to become a friendlier state to the community, noting that 6.2% of Ohio's population identifies as LGBTQ+ and earns a combined income of around $26 billion.
"Ohio has a regressive attitude towards trans people when it comes to hate crimes and antidiscrimination protections, health care protections, and changing gender markers on
official IDs," the report said. "Treating trans people as unequal makes us look complicit if we choose to do business in Ohio -- equality is good for everyone's bottom line."
It costs companies an average of $9,390 to replace an employee in Ohio and it can cost more than $428,000 to replace senior executives, Out Leadership found. The study also argued it's important for Ohio to "foster a business environment where being inclusive is supported" because 54% of Millennial and Gen Z consumers prefer to do business with companies who are LGBTQ+ friendly.
Still, for the third year in a row, the report said LGBTQ+ equality is decreasing across the U.S. The average score of all 50 states is dropping, from 63.48 in 2023 to 62.77 in 2024 and 62.62 in 2024. Todd Sears, Out Leaderhip's CEO, said the drop is driven by driven by more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, most targeting the transgender and nonbinary community, and a growing political divide.
"We're seeing a disturbing trend: LGBTQ+ equality is declining across the United States," said Sears. "As someone who's worked for decades to help the world's most influential companies integrate LGBTQ+ equality into their core business strategy, I find this trend deeply troubling -- for our values and certainly for business."
In Ohio, legislation deemed "anti-LGBTQ+" includes a provision in the state budget defining gender as two sexes, a law banning certain healthcare for transgender youth, and a bill to celebrate "Natural Family Month." The Statehouse has also approved a measure to set separate bathrooms based on students' "biological sex," and is considering a proposal that LGBTQ+ advocates say will outlaw drag queen shows in public.
The index noted, when asked in March whether Ohio is fostering an unfriendly climate for LGBTQ+ residents, Gov. Mike DeWine said he disagrees with those who argue the state is unwelcoming.
"I'd disagree with that, I would totally disagree with that," said DeWine. "I don’t think we have done that. Look, you go back and look at everything that I have said as governor, in 'State of the State' speeches and other times, this should be a welcoming state. We want everybody to come to Ohio and feel welcomed in the state."