COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State Representative Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County) has introduced a bill that would prohibit public colleges from asking applicants about their preferred pronouns, a measure aligning with President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to limit LGBTQ+ rights and recognition nationwide. The bill, House Bill 686, seeks to amend the Revised Code to bar Ohio’s public colleges and universities from including fields for pronoun preferences on admissions and employment applications.
HB 686 is part of a larger wave of proposed restrictions on transgender rights at the state and federal levels. President-elect Trump has pledged to introduce policies that ban gender-affirming care nationwide, prevent transgender athletes from participating in sports, and withdraw federal funding from institutions that allow transgender athletes to compete. Trump has also signaled intentions to establish a federal definition of gender as solely assigned at birth, effectively removing recognition of transgender and nonbinary identities.
For LGBTQ+ advocates, Pavliga’s proposal reflects a growing trend of policies aimed at restricting gender identity options and inclusivity measures. Many view preferred pronouns on applications as essential for creating respectful, affirming academic and work environments. As public institutions, Ohio’s universities have been spaces where many students and staff can express their identities safely and openly—a practice advocates believe is crucial, especially amid heightened federal and state scrutiny.
As the Ohio legislature prepares to review HB 686, students, advocacy groups, and stakeholders are watching closely, especially given the potential for new national regulations under the incoming administration. With proposed restrictions unfolding at both state and federal levels, Ohio’s public institutions may soon find themselves navigating complex new policies related to gender identity and inclusivity in education and the workplace.