Fourth of July in Franklin
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Legislators unveil bill to protect gay rights
Map: Other states that have sex discrimination laws [PDF]
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
COLUMBUS — A bipartisan trio of legislators on Tuesday, March 11, unveiled legislation to make it illegal in Ohio to discriminate against a person in housing, employment or public accommodations based because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.
Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat, said he would sign the bill — either Senate Bill 305 or House Bill 502 — but first it would have to be approved by the Republican-controlled legislature.
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"I have my work cut out for me," Rep. Jon Peterson, R-Delaware, said at a news conference. The other two lawmakers supporting the legislation were Democrats — Rep. Dan Stewart of Columbus and Sen. Dale Miller of Cleveland.
House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, has not seen the bill but believes that "we shouldn't discriminate against anyone who wants to come and work in our state," said Karen Stivers, Husted's spokeswoman.
The legislators said that the bill would boost economic development by making Ohio a more attractive place to work, but added that's not the only reason it's needed. "Fairness demands this," said Stewart.
Previous efforts to pass such legislation have failed, but Peterson said "the time is right." However, Barry Sheets, governmental affairs director for Cincinnati-based Citizens for Community Values, called the bill "a solution in search of a problem."
His group led efforts to pass Ohio's anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment in 2004.
Currently, 21 states, 11 of Ohio's 13 four-year public colleges and 16 Ohio cities and villages provide protections like those in the bill, backers said.
The Rev. Michael Castle, pastor of the Cross Creek Community Church in Centerville, attended the press conference and later voiced support for the bill.
Also supporting the bill is Jimmie Beall, who said she lost her job as a teacher with the London city schools in Madison County in 2003 after officials learned that she was a lesbian.
"I was frantic," said Beall, now a counselor with Columbus city schools. She sued in federal court and said that as part of a settlement, the London district agreed not to discriminate against employees based on sexual orientation.
Steve Allen took over as superintendent of London schools after the lawsuit was filed and helped reach the settlement.
"What's a good reason to discriminate against anybody, especially a class of people?" Allen asked. "I can't think of one good reason."
Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608 or whershey@DaytonDailyNews.com.
