Akron City Council unanimously adopts resolution opposing Ohio House Bill 249

Akron City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution opposing Ohio House Bill 249 and declared the measure an emergency to expedite its effect. The resolution, offered by Mayor Malek and Councilperson Wilson, passed 13 to 0 after the council suspended the rules to take it up at the meeting.

Mayor Malek told the council the city must push back against bills that "promote hatred, bigotry, [and] fear of our LGBTQ plus community," saying they are often "not grounded in any coherent understanding of the First Amendment." Councilperson Wilson described House Bill 249 as "essentially a drag ban" and said she believed it infringes on free-expression rights; she added that Akron's state representatives Ronica Sims and Derek Hall had voted against the bill in the Ohio House.

Councilwoman Amobian and other members added that Akron is a welcoming city with a long history of gender-bending and drag performance, and urged the city to stand publicly for the dignity and safety of LGBTQ+ residents. The council voted to suspend the rules, adopt the resolution and declare an emergency so the statement could be entered into the city record without delay.

The resolution is a formal statement of municipal opposition to the state bill; council members said the vote reflects local values and provides a public record of the city’s stance. No additional legislative penalties or directives were included in the resolution; the measure is symbolic opposition to state-level legislation. The council took the vote at the meeting and the presiding officer announced the record of passage.