Lakewood Politicians Applaud Supreme Court's LGBTQ Decision

LAKEWOOD, OH — The U.S. Supreme Court extended job discrimination protections to LGBTQ Americans on Monday. The decision drew praise from Lakewood's politicians, including Ohio's first openly lesbian legislator state Senator Nickie Antonio.

“I applaud this decision by the Supreme Court. However, while today’s ruling is significant, it is not the solution to provide full LGBTQ equality. Now more than ever, we need to pass the Ohio Fairness Act, which reaffirms that LGBTQ people should be able to work, live and play without discrimination," Antonio said in a statement.

Ohio is one of 27 states which do not have protections for LGBTQ residents. Individuals can be denied jobs, housing or services based on sexual orientation or gender identity in Ohio. Roughly two dozen communities in Ohio have enacted their own ordinances protecting LGBTQ residents, but most Ohioans do not enjoy those protections. The Ohio Fairness Act would extend protections to all LGBTQ Ohioans.

“The proposed Ohio Fairness Act embodies broader non-discrimination policies, not only in employment, but in housing, health care, and insurance coverage, for example. In addition, Federal Title VII applies to larger employers with 15 or more employees and Ohio’s discrimination laws cover employers with five or more employees. Ohio law also covers discrimination claims against management where they ‘aid and abet’ discrimination within the workplace," said state Rep. Mike Skindell, also from Lakewood.

The Ohio Fairness Act is currently in the Ohio House's Civil Justice Committee. The bill has been the subject of three hearings, the last of which happened in February 2020.

“It is time for Ohio to take a stand and affirm that it welcomes all workers and families, including those from the LGBTQ community. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce and almost 1,000 businesses agree that if we want to re-energize Ohio’s economy, we need to pass the Ohio Fairness Act," Antonio said.