Does Ohio need a law protecting gays from discrimination?

Today's Moderator
Ideas & Voices
By Michael Williams
June 1, 2013
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Do homosexual Ohioans need protection from discrimination in the workplace and the housing market?

Four state lawmakers — two Democrats and two Republicans — think they do. The Columbus Dispatch reports that a new bipartisan effort to “outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation” has begun in the Ohio House and Senate.

One of the House co-sponsors is Rep. Ross McGregor, R-Springfield — where city commissioners voted 3-2 in February 2012 against amending Springfield’s human rights codes to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

A bill passed in Columbus would bring that protection to Springfield and other Ohio cities, but whether it can win enough votes is the million-dollar question. Four similar bills have died in the past, the Dispatch reports, but advocates of the bill think that Ohioans’ past opposition to gay rights is softening.

What do you think? Would you favor a law protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination? Do you think this effort will succeed or fail like the others? Send me an email at mwilliams@coxohio.com and let us know what you think about the proposed bills.

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About the Author

Michael Williams