LGBTQ+ crisis hotline reports increasing calls following passage of Ohio "Parents Bill of Rights"

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Calls into the Rainbow Youth Project USA’s crisis hotline have more than tripled since Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 8, the so-called “Parents Bill of Rights” into law on Jan. 8.

“Since that day, we have taken 913 calls between Jan. 8 and Jan. 15,” Rainbow Youth Project USA’s Executive Director Lance Preston said. “Many of them are expressing fear.”

Callers fear, Preston says relates to one of several provisions in the law that could require teachers to “out” gay students to their parents. Preston said the bill targets an already marginalized group of young people who, according to the Centers for Disease Control, are more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience signs of poor mental health and suicidal behaviors.

It’s a reality Preston knows well.

“I was on life support for seven days at the age of 19,” he said, adding he attempted to take his life because of persecution from his community. He fears LGBTQ+ students who are “outed” to their parents could take similarly drastic actions.

“Not every parent is supportive and so it creates risk,” Preston said.

Proponents of the legislation say the challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth are all the more reason parents should be involved.

“You can’t withhold this information from parents,” policy director at the Center for Christian Virtue David Mahan said.

The Center for Christian Virtue advocated for the law. Mahan said parents have a right to know about major changes in their children’s lives.

“If children are struggling or experiencing distress in any area, the parents need to be involved,” Mahan said. “If we’re talking about, you know, kids who are suicidal because of their identity, parents need to be involved.”

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