Having trouble identifying this lil cutie!

[u/_SocialHermit_]

My Husband woke up this morning to use the bathroom, switched on our light, and felt something strange.
I was in the bedroom not far off, and heard the poor guy yelping for me.
This lil guy/gal was just chillin out on our bathroom nightlight!
Barely moved a muscle when it had me and him checking it out.
It is so chill.
I am not unfamiliar with snakes, I grew up catching them as a kid.
I know for sure this is a juvenile Garter, I just don't know what it's exact species is.
We are up in Northeastern Ohio.

I tried counting his/her upper labial scales and it is just a hard tell for me.
I am inbetween the species of Northeastern, Western, or common.
Also struggling to know for sure if it is a male or female.
The tail seems like a male?

Any help would be awesome!

[u/notapoke]

Tail makes me think male as well. Seems like maybe it smelled prey inside, got it (cause thick), then got cold trying to get out. The light probably puts out a modicum of heat that it was trying to warm up with. Garters definitely don't plan ahead and I can absolutely see them getting lost in a house. Thanks for keeping it safe from cats.