Xenia City Council 9/26

Late in September Van and I had the opportunity to speak at a Xenia City Council Meeting to advocate for better protections for women. You can watch our comments in the videos below. As a result of this meeting the city of Xenia voted to pass a resolution in support of Ohio HB-798. Thank you to Mayor Reynolds and the Xenia City Council.

Here's a note we received from Xenia Mayor Ethan Reynolds following our public comments at the Xenia City Council meeting on September 26.

Janell's Comments

Van's Comments

Transcript of Janell's comments:

Xenia Mayor Ethan Reynolds and Xenia City Council Members

For four years, I have waited for leaders to address what happened at the Xenia YMCA and

the policies that allowed it. Instead of answers, I have experienced silence, dismissal, and a

profound breach of trust.

In September of 2022, I reported a naked adult male exhibiting predatory behavior in the

women's locker room. I expected the YMCA to document the complaint, investigate it, and

protect its members. Instead, my husband was told that I should just use the family locker

room. Our repeated calls, messages and letters went unanswered.

More than 70,000 children participated in activities or programs at the 14 YMCAs of Greater

Dayton in 2025. Those children and their families deserve clear, enforceable safeguards - not policies based on self-identification and subjective judgments about behavior.

This is larger than one incident or one individual. A YMCA Vice President told my husband and I that multiple males, who identify as women, are permitted to use women's locker rooms as long as they exhibit "good behavior." That is not a meaningful safety standard, and it puts our children in harm's way. If even one man is permitted to watch women or young girls shower and change, then the safety and privacy for all women and girls is gone. Men should never be permitted to watch women and young girls in these intimate spaces.

Four years ago, I had five grandchildren. Today, I have thirteen. I am standing up for my 13

because the leaders responsible for protecting them have not. Who is going to stand up for the other 70,000 kids in our area of the state? If this had happened to your daughter or

granddaughter, would you still be silent? Since I began advocating for women and girls, I’ve

been called hateful, transphobic, bigoted. I have learned more about drag queens and

gender-identity policies than I ever wanted to know. But accusations and derogatory labels will never silence me. The current policies of the YMCA of Greater Dayton are demeaning,

repulsive, and dangerous.

I am asking each of you to act. Publicly address these concerns. Demand transparent YMCA

policies that restore sex-separated locker rooms and protect the privacy of women and

children. Seek an independent review of how complaints are handled. Support current Ohio

laws that provide clear protections for women and girls in locker rooms and private spaces.

How long do we have to wait for answers? My trust has been broken by our city and county

leaders, by Judges, and by the YMCA... and I don’t know if I will ever get that trust back. A few minutes will never be enough time to explain to you the last four years. I would encourage you to please visit maketheymcasafeagain.com to learn more about how other women and girls have been harmed by the YMCA’s irresponsible policies.

Thank you

Janell Holloway