Grove City resident urges council to condemn discriminatory state budget language and pass supportive resolution

Raven Tadlock, an 18-year-old Grove City resident, urged the council during public comment to issue a resolution condemning what she described as discriminatory language in the Ohio state budget and to use the council’s relationships with state lawmakers to oppose it.

Tadlock told council she volunteered at the 2024 Bridal Festival youth table when members of a group she identified as a national hate group appeared, brought intimidation and shouted slurs, and that the incident heightened safety concerns for LGBTQ residents. She said federal and state policy actions and recent budget language that, in her words, “erase” transgender and nonbinary people are already linked to increased crisis-line activity and to harm among LGBTQ youth.

She asked council to adopt a resolution affirming the city’s LGBTQ residents, to condemn discriminatory language in the Ohio budget, and to contact state legislators to express Grove City’s concerns. Tadlock cited national medical organizations’ opposition to policies that limit gender-affirming care and framed the request as protecting residents’ safety.

Council members responded with thanks and praise for Tadlock’s remarks. Several council members and the mayor acknowledged the courage of Tadlock’s appearance and commended her for bringing the concerns to the council’s attention. No council member moved to adopt a resolution at the meeting; Tadlock’s request was recorded as public comment only.

Tadlock’s remarks came during the public-comment portion of the meeting; council did not vote on or refer a resolution at that time.