Following the Governor's veto of the Save Women's Sports Act and SAFE Act (HB68), CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews sat down for an emergency episode of The Narrative podcast to discuss what happened and what's next for this critical bill.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced at a press conference on Friday, December 29, that he is vetoing Substitute House Bill (HB68), which includes the Save Women's Sports Act and the SAFE Act. The CCV-backed bill bans sterilizing and experimental transgender medicine on children and protects girls from being forced to compete against boys in K-12 and collegiate athletics.

The Ohio Senate just passed the CCV-backed Substitute House Bill 68 (HB68), which includes the Save Women's Sports Act, sponsored by Representative Jena Powell (R-Arcanum), and the SAFE (Saving Adolescents From Experimentation) Act, sponsored by Representative Gary Click (R-Vickery), both of which acknowledge the inherent differences between men and women.

Earlier today, the Ohio Senate Government Oversight Committee passed the CCV-backed Substitute House Bill 68 (HB68), the Save Women’s Sports Act and the SAFE (Saving Adolescents From Experimentation) Act.

Today marks a grievous new era in Ohio. Issue 1, one of the most egregious and aggressive abortion amendments in the nation, is officially enshrined in the state Constitution. At Center for Christian Virtue (CCV), we often say that elections have consequences, and there are few worse consequences than legalizing the murder of unborn children in their mothers' wombs, where they should be safest. 

This week, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost released a letter reaffirming the religious liberty rights of students to receive religious instruction during the school day. The letter is in response to the Freedom From Religion Foundation, an out-of-state lobbying group, discouraging Ohio public schools from starting or continuing “released time” programs for students to briefly leave during the school day to receive private religious education.

Later today, Riley Gaines will testify in support of protecting girls' sports in Ohio through Substitute House Bill 68 (HB68). Riley graduated from the University of Kentucky, where she was a 12-time All-American swimmer, and has made waves for speaking out after tying University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, a biological male competing on the women's team, at the 2022 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships. 

On this final episode of The Narrative podcast for 2023, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews answer your questions on keeping cannabis out of our communities, the Christian’s call to be a light, CCV’s cultural impact, and our pro-life strategy after Issue 1.

House Bill 245 (HB245), sponsored by Representatives Angie King (R-Celina) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) and co-sponsored by an additional 41 state representatives, would protect children from being subjected to obscene adult entertainers. HB245 is scheduled to receive its first hearing before the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee today–Tuesday, November 14–at 3:15 pm.

Ohioans can make a gift up to $750 to OCEN SGO and receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit reducing the amount of Ohio income tax owed by the amount of the gift. Couples who make a gift in both spouses’ names can receive up to a $1,500 credit. If you choose to, you can even select which participating school you would like to be the beneficiary of your gift.

From the Desk of Center for Christian Virtue President Aaron Baer | On Issue 1

“…Rest assured: the pro-life movement is more united than ever. We stand ready during this unthinkable time to advocate for women and the unborn, just as we have always done. We persevered for 50 years to overturn Roe v. Wade. Ours is a movement that has always endured, and always will. Tomorrow, the work starts again as we fight to be a voice for the voiceless and advocate for women and parents.”

In this insightful and intriguing episode, Monica Snyder, Executive Director of Secular Pro-Life and an atheist, shares with listeners the secular perspective on why abortion is neither logical nor kind. If you've ever tried to approach the subject of life with your pro-choice friends and family, and been unsure of how to refute claims that you're just trying to force your religion on everyone, you'll definitely want to listen to this conversation!

In a world where pornography is just a click away on any electronic device, slipped into popular TV shows, or suggested content in social media feeds, Josh shares practical tips and real life experience for not only protecting children from pornography, but equipping them for when they are exposed to it. 

Ohio Christian and denominational leaders released an open letter opposing Issue 1 and denouncing the abortion industry’s ad suggesting Christians should support the extreme constitutional amendment. The letter is signed by a group of prominent Ohio denominational leaders who come from a variety of backgrounds but together call on Christians to courageously vote no on Issue 1. 

Joining from Jerusalem, Michael Mistretta, CEO of Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries (FIRM), shares the current reality in Israel with CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews on this episode of The Narrative.

Political experts Aaron Baer, President of Center for Christian Virtue, and Dr. Mark Caleb Smith, Director of the Center for Political Studies and professor of political science at Cedarville University, are leading a faith-informed conversation about Issue 1 tonight, Tuesday, October 17, at 7:30 pm.