DAYTON — Fifty-eight-year-old Vicki Hahn works as director of human resources for United Way of the Greater Dayton Area. She is divorced, the mother of three grown children and a very proud grandmother of two.

Hahn also happens to be a very "out" lesbian and president of the Greater Dayton Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center board. She's a supporter of a proposed ordinance that would provide protection against discrimination due to sexual orientation and gender identity.

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Vicki Hahn, human resources director for the local United Way and board president of the Greater Dayton LGBT Center, will be watching the Dayton City Commission as they consider a resolution to to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes in the city.Click to enlarge

"We are professionals. We are attorneys, doctors. Some hold government jobs," Hahn said. "There is one difference, who we love as our life partner."

The Dayton City Commission is expected to vote on the ordinance tooday at its 6 p.m. meeting at City Hall, 101 W. Third St.

Black ministers have been outspoken in their opposition to the proposed change in city code. The Rev. Wilburt O. Shanklin, president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, said some have accused him of motivation other than angst over the lack of public discussion before the City Commission vote.

"You have not heard me say one negative thing against gay people. I have not tried to get up and cry from a biblical position," Shanklin said. "The only position I have taken, is that the process is flawed. I pray the City Commission holds off to give the community a chance to talk about this."

While Shanklin said he plans to attend the meeting tonight, Hahn said the leaders of the gay/lesbian community will not be there.

"We want to take the high road and let the City Commission do its job," she said.

Hahn was married for 26 years before divorcing and openly acknowledging that she is a lesbian.

"There are a lot of us who do that because it's what is expected. Hiding it for all those years was torturous for me," she said.

Coming out, comes with a new set of hardships.

"I've had people call me names. I've had people follow me on the interstate and make gestures toward me," Hahn said. "It's not an easy life."

It is legal to discriminate against gays and lesbians on issues of employment and housing in Ohio, except in the 14 municipalities that have afforded them protection.

"There are a lot of us here in Dayton, thousands of people, looking for leadership to do the right thing," Hahn said.