Athens City Council Unanimously Supports EHEA

Athens and Lakewood become the next two cities in Ohio to pass resolutions in support of the Equal Housing and Emplyment Act on Monday, November 3. There are currently 10 cities and counties that have passed resolutions in support of the state-wide legislation.

Current Bill Status

In the Ohio Senate, Sen. Dale Miller’s bill, Senate Bill 305, has been referred to the Senate Judiciary and Civil Justice Committee.

Miller gave sponsor testimony on April 1 and said, “Eliminating discrimination in all of its ugly forms is the right thing to do in Ohio in the 21st century.’’

Sen. David Goodman, a central Ohio Republican who chairs the Judiciary panel, is a co-sponsor of the legislation. A day of proponent and opponent testimony has taken place and it is likely the bill will see more hearings when the Senate returns after November 12, 2008. To read the testimony click here and scroll down to the testimony section to read what our supporters said to the committee!

In the Ohio House of Representatives, House Bill 502 has been referred to the State Government and Elections Committee. Hearings have not been scheduled on HB502.

The legislature is on break through the election season. We will be working with the Representatives and Senators while they are in their home district to gather more supporters. We are preparing for their return on November 12 with our Faith Leaders' Luncheon on November, 13 2008. If you are a faith leader and are interested in attending the luncheon please email us here for more information or to sign-up.

We are also working to elect fair-minded officials in Ohio on November 4 so we can pass this pro-equality legislation.

Ohio laws don't match
Ohioans' values

More than two-thirds of Ohio’s likely voters support passage of legislation that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Despite such strong support, it’s legal in Ohio to fire someone, deny them a place to live or force them to leave a restaurant if they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

Legislation to ban this type of discrimination has been introduced in the past but never received a single hearing.

Today, a bipartisan group of legislators is trying again and is optimistic that Ohio will become the 21st state to update its laws and make our state a place where everyone feels at home.

In the state Senate, the primary sponsor is Sen. Dale Miller, a Cleveland Democrat.

An identical bill was introduced in the House, and its primary sponsors are Rep. Jon Peterson, a Delaware Republican, and Rep. Dan Stewart, a Columbus Democrat.