Cleveland, OH
Northeast Ohio drag performers speak out against HB 249
CLEVELAND — For Kyle Burnett, drag is more than just a hobby, discovering the art form after falling into a deep depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Burnett, who is nonbinary, has been living in Ohio for more than a decade and has performed as “Zoey Zegai” for five of those years.
“It was a tough time … I found drag not only as a way of entertainment, but embracing myself as a queer member of the LGBTQ+ community,” said Burnett, who uses he/they pronouns.
While Burnett has been met with substantial support, he said, he’s noticed a recent shift in societal attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community over the last year.
“I had my purse and was wearing short shorts because Ohio gets hot in the summertime, and I had a beer bottle thrown at me from outside of someone’s car window,” Burnett said.
“Zoey Zegai,” which Burnett said, is influenced by old-school divas like Joan Crawford and newer divas like Jinkx Monsoons.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 500 anti-LGBTQ bills have been proposed during the 2026 legislative session nationwide.
One of these bills is HB 249, or the “Indecent Exposure Modernization Act,” which would restrict drag performances to adult entertainment venues. The policy also changes the definition of public indecency to include “performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer’s or entertainer’s biological sex using clothing, makeup, prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers.”
TransOhio Executive Director Dara Adkison said the bill uses broad language and could criminalize gender-diverse expression.
“It’s really making a statute that law enforcement professionals get to enforce their personal ideas about what is and isn’t appropriate gender representation, what is and isn’t performance. You know, is it singing karaoke? Is it being and drag queen? I know, is it a trans person walking down?” said Adkison, who uses they/them pronouns.
While many Ohioans are expressing concerns about the bill targeting transgender people and drag performers, nonprofit Equality Ohio said, the legislation’s impact expands to athletes and countless others.
The bill revises a previous code banning the exposure of “private parts” to now ban the exposure of “private areas,” said Dwayne Steward, Executive Director of Equality Ohio.
“Because the language they use is so vague, it really can apply to anyone, really. The language has been shifted from ‘obscenity’ … someone showing their genitals … to anyone showing their ‘genital area’, which could mean anyone who’s wearing a sports bra, a cheerleader who may be showing their midriff. “
Supporters of HB 249 said the bill is meant to protect children, while others have said this argument reinforces a harmful narrative surrounding drag performances.
“People, immediately when they see drag, they think that it is something that is sexual, something that is trying to indoctrinate children, to expose them to sexual content. And that’s not the case in any capacity,” Olivia Kowslowski.
Kowslowski is born and raised in northeast Ohio, now performing as “Monica Mod.”
Kowslowski, who started first started performing drag in Jan. 2022.
“I think that my perspective is important because it just shows that the bill is harmful to many people, including people that they were not expecting to be impacted by this,” she said. “… Most people don’t realize that when I’m in drag, I am, I’m a cisgender woman.”
While she’s become well known around her college campus’ drag scene, Kowslowski said, she and other performers are facing additional barriers.
“I have found that finding bookings is much more difficult because many venues are a lot more hesitant to host drag events at their spaces, or even support drag entertainers and their venues. Mainly from HB 249,” she said.
The Democratic Society of America’s Cleveland chapter recently announced it is launching a Gender Freedom Policy Petition that would go against “recent legislation calling to limit and ban drag performances,” calling it, “an injustice to not only the drag scene but also the broader Cleveland community.”
The petitions also includes provisions “that safeguard drag performers” and call for city-backed gender-affirming care services.
HB 249 now remains under review by the Ohio Senate and would require the governor’s signature before going into effect.
While the future remains uncertain, Burnett said, he and others in the drag community are hoping to build wider solidarity across all Ohio populations.
“We’re all just trying to live the same day-to-day life, get groceries, pay bills, drive to-and-from work. But there’s no room for hate,” Burnett said. “There’s no room for violence. We just want to feel like Ohio citizens.”
CLEVELAND — Thousands of people braved the cold in downtown Cleveland for the third wave of “No Kings Day” demonstrations against the Trump administration.
This time, protestors said, the stakes are higher than ever.
Community members and activists joined at the Free Stamp in Willard Park and marched alongside Lakeside Avenue and around Cleveland Public Square on Saturday. Demonstrators said they’re rallying against the Trump administration’s escalation of federal immigration enforcement tactics and rocky global economy amid the country’s war with Iran.
Protestor Fidel Swain who served 15 years in the US Air Force. (Spectrum News 1/Tanya Velazquez)
U.S. Military Veteran Fidel Swain said he’s marching for the rights of all Americans.
“We’re really concerned with what’s going on in the country today as far as this current administration,” Swain said. “They all seem to not follow the principles and ideas of the working class and just most Americans, which is law, order.”
Northeast Ohio resident Charlotte Hartman also stood among the crowd of demonstrators. She said she attended the two previous No Kings Day protests in Strongsville.
Today, Hartman said, she’s standing in solidarity with all marginalized groups.
(L-R) Protestors Elaine Wheaton, Charlotte Hartman, and Michele Murphy. (Spectrum News 1/Tanya Velazquez)
“The way he treats people and minorities, the way he treats handicapped people … They don’t seem to be any care or concern for anybody,” Hartman said.
Hartman was joined by Elaine Wheaton, who said she hopes the demonstration will help unite Americans, despite ideological differences.
“We’re hoping that some of the people that voted for Trump before might be changing their mind,” Wheaton said. “He’s getting a little too overboard … I have no problem with Republican presidents like Reagan or Bush or whatever, but it’s not that he’s Republican. It’s just that he’s a bad human.”
The White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson sent a statement to Spectrum News dismissing Saturday’s protest. She wrote, “The only people who care about these Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions are the reporters who are paid to cover them.”
The first No Kings Day protest in June included around 5 million participants, while the second event in the fall drew in around 7 million people.
While speaking about the No Kings Day protests in October, Trump told Fox business that he’s “not a king.”
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Protests against President Donald Trump’s administration are scheduled across the country Saturday, including in Northeast Ohio.
Events are happening around the region, with the largest turnout expected in downtown Cleveland.
Cindy Demsey, a co-organizer of the event, emphasized the rally’s purpose: “No Kings rallies in Cleveland and around the country demonstrate that We The People support an immediate end to foreign wars, ICE’s terror tactics, the administration’s unconstitutional power grab, covering up evidence of crimes against children and government for billionaires.”
The rally is set to begin at 1:00 PM at the Free Stamp next to City Hall on Lakeside Avenue and East 9th Street.
Back in October, thousands gathered downtown, and the events featured musical performances and various speakers before a march.
When a demonstration took place this past summer, Cleveland police estimated about 5,000 people were in attendance.
That event was mostly peaceful, with one person arrested for disorderly conduct.
Here is a list of the events taking place this Saturday, March 28.
Cleveland
When: 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: Free Stamp, Willard Park
Akron
When: 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: John F. Seiberling Federal Building and United States Courthouse
Lakewood
When: 10:30 to noon
Where: Lakewood City Hall
Parma
When: 10 to 1 p.m.
Where: Ridgewood Lake Park
North Ridgeville
When: 10 to noon
Where: LCCC University Partnership Ridge Campus
Mansfield
When: 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Richland County Administration & Courthouse
Parma
When: 10 to 1 p.m.
Where: 7620 W Ridgewood Dr
Chardon
When: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 100 Short Ct St
Cuyahoga Falls
When: 11 to 1 p.m.
Where: Cuyahoga Falls Downtown Amphitheater
New Philadelphia
When: 11:30 to 1 p.m.
Where: Tuscarawas County Courthouse
Ashtabula
When: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Smith Field Dog Park
Port Clinton
When: Noon to 2 p.m.
Where: Erie Dearie Park, a corner of Waterworks Park
Vermilion
When: Noon to 2 p.m.
Where: Exchange Park
Wooster
When: Noon to 2 p.m.
Where: Public Square
Strongsville
When: Noon to 2 p.m.
Where: Pearl Road & Ohio 82
Hudson
When: 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: Gazebo Green
Sandusky
When: 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: Sandusky Mall Entrance
Kent
When: 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: Gazebo, intersection of Franklin Ave and West Main Street
Warren
When: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Trumbull County Courthouse Square
Canton
When: 3 to 5 p.m.
Where: Central Plaza North
Medina
When: 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Medina Public Square Historic District
Find more here.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Miami Heat on Friday night, in the second game of a back-to-back between these Eastern Conference rivals.
The Miami Heat go for their 40th win of the season and the series victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road on Friday. This is the second game of a back-to-back for these teams, fighting for positioning in the Eastern Conference standings. Both of these games will be played in Cleveland, with the Heat pulling off the upset in Game 1 on Wednesday, winning 120-103. The win ended Miami’s five-game losing streak, and the loss ended the Cavaliers’ four-game winning streak. The win gave the Heat a 2-1 series lead, with Friday’s game serving as the finale. Miami is back in the eighth seed, but is only a half-game above the Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic. Cleveland is sitting comfortably in fourth place, but is three games back of the New York Knicks for third. The biggest name sitting out of this rematch is Jarrett Allen, who is dealing with a knee injury but is expected to return on Friday. The Cavaliers should be the favorite at home to tie this season series at two games apiece in this rematch.
How to Watch Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Today:
Game Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV Channel: NBATV, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio 1 (Cleveland feed)
Location: Rocket Arena – Cleveland, OH
Live stream the Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers on Fubo: Start watching now!
Miami started off hot in the first half on Wednesday, but Cleveland came back in the third quarter, outscoring the Heat by 17. But Miami quickly returned the favor in the fourth, outscoring the Cavaliers by the same total in the final quarter. Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 28, but the Heat were more balanced with Norman Powell leading the charge with 19 points, and Tyler Herro added 18. James Harden and Sam Merrill both scored 18 points apiece for the Cavs. Miami shot 52 percent from the field as a team and an impressive 40 percent from three. The Heat led by as much as 17 in the third but nearly squandered the sure win before the strong fourth quarter. Miami had eight players score in double figures in what turned out to be a comfortable victory. Expect a closer game tonight in the finale rematch.
What time is the Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game On?
The Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers game will take place on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tune in and catch some great NBA action.
What Channel Is the Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game On?
Looking to watch this game? Fans can tune in to the NBATV, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio 1 (Cleveland feed) to see the action. Make sure you subscribe to Fubo now to watch this matchup, as well as numerous other sports leagues.
Live stream Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers on Fubo: Start watching now!
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