In 1974, Ohio repealed its sodomy and solicitation laws. However, the sex offender registration law was not repealed, and a new solicitation law was adopted that said "no person shall solicit a person of the same sex for sexual activity with the offender, when the offender knows such solicitation is offensive to the other person, or is reckless in that regard." The penalty was up to 6 months imprisonment and/or a fine of $1,000. However, the solicitation law required that the solicited person be offended by the solicitor and if they were not, regardless of if it was between two people of the same sex, it was not to be considered a crime.

In 2002, in the case of State v. Thompson, the Supreme Court of Ohio found that the solicitation law was unconstitutional. The decision also removed the provision of the sex offender registration law that required registration by people convicted two or more times under the offensive solicitation law.

In 2015, The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, and their ruling legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

On April 9, 2025, Ohio’s House Bill 8 was be implemented after it was signed by the Governor in January. It restricts the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity in grades kindergarten to 3.

Widespread discrimination of trans students occur in public schools across Ohio due to multiple anti-trans laws effecting students such as bathroom bans forcing students to use facilities by their assigned gender at birth, outing trans students to parents, and prohibiting teachers to use student's preferred pronouns.

Additionally, on November 7th, 2025, the 6th Circuit Court ruled that cis students may discriminate against trans students by repeatedly and intentionally misgendering them under no consequence. Trans students can be censored and face punishment for misgendering cis students for "violating their scientific and religious beliefs" the judge ruled. This court decision effects all trans students in public schools who live in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.

A medical diagnosis is required for state IDs.

A court order is required for birth certificates which may vary on requirements by each judge.

On April 29, 2025, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the ban can take effect while an appeal proceeds.

This state explicitly defines sex to exclude non-binary individuals.

Ohio law does not provide hate crime protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

However, if a case is transferred to the federal courts, federal law applies which provides hate crime protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

There are no statewide legal protections however, the following local municipalities have non-discrimination ordinances under varied context:

Akron, Athens, Beachwood, Bexley, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Columbus, Coshocton, Cuyahoga County, Dayton, Dublin, East Cleveland, Galion, Gambier, Golf Manor, Kent, Lakewood, Medina, Newark, Norwood, Oberlin, Olmsted Falls, Oxford, Portsmouth, Reynoldsburg, Sandusky, Shaker Heights, South Euclid, Toledo, University Heights, Westerville, Worthington, Yellow Springs, and Youngstown.

However, widespread discrimination of trans students occur in public schools across Ohio due to multiple anti-trans laws effecting students such as bathroom bans forcing students to use facilities by their assigned gender at birth, outing trans students to parents, and prohibiting teachers to use student's preferred pronouns.

Additionally, on November 7th, 2025, the 6th Circuit Court ruled that cis students may discriminate against trans students by repeatedly and intentionally misgendering them under no consequence. Trans students can be censored and face punishment for misgendering cis students for "violating their scientific and religious beliefs" the judge ruled. This court decision effects all trans students in public schools who live in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.

On June 15th, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, classified as sex discrimination.

(As of November 8th, 2025, the EEOC's policies are unclear due to ongoing legal complexities; however, local protections exist in the state)

There are no statewide legal protections however, the following local municipalities have non-discrimination ordinances under varied context:

Akron, Athens, Beachwood, Bexley, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Columbus, Coshocton, Cuyahoga County, Dayton, Dublin, East Cleveland, Galion, Gambier, Golf Manor, Kent, Lakewood, Medina, Newark, Norwood, Oberlin, Olmsted Falls, Oxford, Portsmouth, Reynoldsburg, Sandusky, Shaker Heights, South Euclid, Toledo, University Heights, Westerville, Worthington, Yellow Springs, and Youngstown.

Additionally, HUD's 2012 Equal Access Rule prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation for housing programs, shelters and other HUD-funded providers.

There are no laws prohibiting Ohio same-sex adoption. Both single LGBT individuals and gay and lesbian couples are permitted to petition to adopt in the state of Ohio. Prior to the Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage in 2015, only single LGBT individuals could adopt. However, since then, same-sex couples are permitted to adopt in Ohio.

In the state of Ohio intersex infant surgery is legally allowed and the ban on gender-affirming care for minors had exceptions for intersex infant surgeries.

Midday on May 6th, 2025, the Supreme Court issued an order allowing the Trump administration to enforce its ban on transgender service members while the court reviews their case.

The new FDA policy on blood donation eliminates deferrals and screening questions specific to men who have sex with men (MSM). Prospective donors will be asked the same set of questions regardless of their sex or sexual orientation.

State legislative action against conversion therapy has culminated in no relevant results.

In the meanwhile, some cities have banned conversion therapy through measures or ordinances each with their own temperaments and variants by jurisdiction.

The list consists of: Cincinnati (the first in December 2015), Toledo, Columbus, Dayton, Athens, Lakewood, Kent, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Akron, Lorain and Reynoldsburg. A ban is pending in Westerville.

The Ohio Board of Psychology released an advisory statement against conversion therapy additionally.

A study showed Ohio banned in the top 5 states for conversion therapy.

Bills had been shown to be pending at some point against the practice of conversion therapy but their status is currently unknown. State law supersedes local laws and the ban is at risk of being rendered defunct if state legislatures were to nullify the legitimacy of the scope of these laws.