09/04/2025

Higher Education Association to Halt Having Conferences in Ohio due to Political Climate

The group cited Ohio's anti-LGBTQ+ laws as the reason behind their decision

Ohio's anti-LGBTQ+ laws are beginning to shape the state's economy as one organization decided to not host a conference in Cleveland that could have pulled thousands of attendees.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer first reported that the International Studies Association (ISA), a higher education organization of scholars in the field of international studies, sent a letter to Governor Mike DeWine on August 22 to inform him that, unless Ohio's anti-LGBTQ+ laws are reversed, it will no longer consider Cleveland as an option for a future conference.

According to the letter, the annual conference brings 5,000 to 6,500 attendees from around the world. The organization was also concerned about Ohio legislators’ and DeWine’s support of the federal administration’s push to deploy the U.S. military in cities, said ISA Executive Director MJ Bosia in an email to The Buckeye Flame.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Buckeye Flame.