Protecting Children in Public Spaces: Why Ohio Must Pass HB249
CCV is urging the Ohio General Assembly to pass House Bill 249, a commonsense measure designed to protect children from exposure to obscene adult performances in public spaces.
At its core, the Indecent Exposure Modernization Act (HB249) is about something every Ohioan should agree on: children deserve to be shielded from sexually explicit content.
But if there was ever any doubt about why this legislation is needed, the opponent testimony given last week erased it.
What HB249 Actually Does
Despite the media spin, HB249 is narrow, clear, and grounded in existing Ohio law.
It prohibits knowingly engaging in obscene adult cabaret performances outside of designated adult venues.
It replaces the vague term “private part” in Ohio’s indecent exposure law with a clearly defined term, “private area,” closing dangerous loopholes.
It does not ban adult entertainment. It does not change the legal definition of obscenity. It simply ensures that explicit performances stay where they belong: away from children.
Ohio law already says children should not be exposed to obscene material. That is why strip clubs and adult venues have age restrictions. HB249 simply applies that same standard to public performances. Without it, there is nothing stopping sexually suggestive or explicit performances from taking place in public spaces where children are present, like parks, festivals, and libraries.
CCV Policy Executive Director David Mahan answered questions around this in his proponent testimony on October 29, 2025. You can watch his explanations in this video clip from the hearing.
The Media Claims “Kids Aren’t Exposed to Obscene Performances.” Last Week’s Testimony Says Otherwise.
You have likely heard the talking point, “No one is trying to expose kids to obscene material.”
That claim collapsed in the House Judiciary Committee on March 18.
Opponents of HB249 – including drag performers, activists, and organizations like the ACLU and Planned Parenthood – made it clear they want to continue performing sexualized acts in spaces where children are present.
Some even proudly described doing exactly that.
One performer testified about doing “many shows and book readings to children over the years for churches” and at Pride festivals.
Another stated plainly, “I am a performer and entertainer for both adults and young people.”
Others defended drag performances geared directly to children, including “Drag Story Hour programs for children and families,” where kids sit up front and engage with performers.
One parent even described taking her children to drag events and integrating performers into youth activities, framing it as normal and beneficial.
And multiple opponents insisted that these performances are “not inherently…inappropriate” and should continue in public, family-facing settings.
They Said the Quiet Part Out Loud
Perhaps most striking was how some drag performers testified so casually about the nature of their shows.
A 47-year-old man boasted about performing as “Anisa Love,” and being named Miss Gay Ohio 2026. He detailed the physical transformation involved in drag, including wearing “five pairs of compression tights, a roll of duct tape, a corset, 5-inch high-density foam for my hips, high-density foam false breasts, layers of makeup,” and other prosthetics used to create exaggerated sexualized features.
This is what opponents are defending bringing into spaces where children are present. Not behind closed doors. Not in age-restricted venues. But in public settings where families gather, where kids play, and where parents should be able to expect basic standards of decency.
Protecting Kids Shouldn’t Be Controversial
This is where the media narrative breaks down completely.
We are told this bill solves a “nonexistent problem.” We are told “no one” supports exposing kids to obscene material.
And yet, in testimony, individuals and organizations explicitly argued for the right to perform in front of children and to continue programming that blends adult-themed expression with youth audiences.
Ohio families see through this.
They know that public spaces should be safe for children. They know there is a line between adult expression and childhood innocence. And they expect their lawmakers to uphold it.
Putting Children First
HB249 is not radical. It is not extreme. It is not new.
It is a simple reaffirmation of a basic principle: children deserve protection from sexualized content in public spaces.
The question before lawmakers is straightforward: Will Ohio prioritize the well-being of children, or the demands of activists who insist there should be no limits?
CCV believes the answer is clear: The General Assembly should pass HB249 – without delay.
TAKE ACTION IN 60 SECONDS
Ohio law must prioritize children's fundamental safety over adults' superficial desires. With 66 percent of Ohioans agreeing that enough is enough, the Ohio legislature must act.
Use our Action Center to tell your Ohio State Representative and Senator to support HB249 and protect the privacy and safety of women and children.
For more information, contact CCV at 513-733-5775 or contact@ccv.org. For media inquiries, email media@ccv.org.
As Ohio's largest Christian public policy organization, Center for Christian Virtue seeks the good of our neighbors by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel.
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