A Clash of Values: Progressive Colleges in Ohio Grapple with a New Bathroom Law
Ohio’s recently enacted law restricting transgender women from using women’s restrooms in schools has ignited a firestorm of debate, particularly at progressive colleges like Antioch and Oberlin. These institutions, known for their histories of activism, inclusion, and social progress, are now grappling with how to respond to a law that many view as a direct attack on transgender students. The law, which applies to private colleges across the state, allows individual schools to decide how to enforce it, but the challenge of compliance has become a deeply emotional and philosophical issue for campuses built on ideals of equality and justice. For students, faculty, and alumni, the law represents not just a policy shift but a betrayal of the values these colleges have long championed.
A Law That Sparks Fear and Uncertainty
The impact of Ohio’s bathroom law extends far beyond restroom access. For many transgender and nonbinary students, it has created a sense of fear and uncertainty about their safety and inclusion on campus. Ahri Morales-Yoon, a nonbinary first-year student at Antioch College, summed up the sentiment: “It’s in the back of your head that this law is hanging over us.” This fear is compounded by the broader national context, as states across the country adopt anti-transgender policies, from banning gender-affirming medical care for minors to restricting participation in women’s sports. At the federal level, the Trump administration’s rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives has further heightened anxieties, leaving colleges to navigate a complex legal and moral landscape.
The Challenge of Compliance for Progressive Institutions
Colleges like Antioch and Oberlin, which pride themselves on their commitment to inclusion, are now forced to decide how to comply with a law that directly contradicts their values. Antioch College, in particular, has a long history of progressive ideals, having been founded in 1850 by abolitionist and education reformer Horace Mann. Today, nearly 90% of its students identify as LGBTQ+, and about one in six are transgender. President Jane Fernandes has been vocal in her opposition to the law, stating, “We will do everything we can to make it possible for transgender students to be very supported and safe here.” However, the college has yet to announce a detailed plan for compliance, leaving students and faculty in limbo.
Oberlin College and the Struggle to Balance Compliance with Values
Oberlin College, another bastion of progressive values, has faced similar challenges. With a history dating back to 1833, Oberlin has long been a pioneer in breaking down social barriers, including being among the first colleges to admit women and Black students. However, the new bathroom law has sparked significant angst on campus. The college has published policies stating its intent to comply with the law, which went into effect in late January. While the administration has emphasized its commitment to supporting all students, many in the community feel that compliance represents a retreat from Oberlin’s legacy of activism. English professor DeSales Harrison captured this sentiment, saying, “It goes against the whole idea of Oberlin to refrain from making a decisive argument about what seems true and good in the world.”
The Broader Implications of the Law
The bathroom law is part of a wave of anti-transgender policies sweeping across the country. Ten other states have similar laws, but Ohio’s stands out because it applies broadly to private colleges and universities, a detail that advocates argue is designed to deter institutions from supporting transgender students. Shelby Chestnut, executive director of the Transgender Law Center and an Antioch graduate, called the law “an outright attack on student safety.” The law requires colleges to designate all multioccupancy restrooms, locker rooms, and showers for exclusive use by males or females based on sex at birth. While the law does not mandate monitoring of restroom use, its implementation has already led to visible changes on campuses, such as new signage designating restrooms as male or female.
A Call to Resistance and Resilience
Despite the challenges posed by the law, many in the Oberlin and Antioch communities are refusing to accept it without a fight. Alumni, in particular, have been vocal in their opposition, with some urging the colleges to resist compliance, even at the risk of losing federal funding. Kathryn Troup Denney, an Oberlin graduate and advocate for transgender rights, argued, “When the law is deliberately causing discrimination against one particular population of people, that’s when good people can rise up and say, ‘No, this law is not fair, it is not equitable, and it is not safe.’” On both campuses, students have taken matters into their own hands, removing the new restroom signs as acts of protest. Administrators, meanwhile, have signaled that they will not actively monitor restroom use, leaving room for students to continue using the facilities that align with their gender identity. As the situation evolves, one thing is clear: the fight over this law is not just about bathrooms but about the very values of inclusion, equality, and justice that these colleges have always sought to uphold.
