Lakewood Senator Praises Anti-Discrimination Action In Ohio

LAKEWOOD, OH — Mike DeWine was sworn in as governor of Ohio on Monday. One of his first acts in office was to sign an extensive anti-discrimination bill for state employees, a move that drew bipartisan support from the first openly lesbian state senator in Ohio history, Lakewood's Nickie Antonio.

“I am delighted by Governor DeWine’s executive order, which adds sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to protected classes and creates a model of workplace policy that respects and protects all of our state employees,” said Antonio, a Democrat, in a statement. “This is truly the right thing to do.”

Unlike much of the West Coast and New England, Ohio is one of the nation's states that lacks clear non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ residents, according to Movement Advancement Project. Antonio has frequently introduced, and re-introduced, the Ohio Fairness Act, which would make such discrimination illegal in housing, employment, and public accommodations, but her legislation often languishes in a Republican-controlled legislature.

She said she plans to reintroduce the bill in state's 133rd General Assembly.

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Antonio also praised DeWine's executive action for extending protection to parents during and after pregnancy, parents of young children, and parents with foster children. His order cited basic human decency and the desire to make Ohio the best employer possible.

“Both the protections for the LGBT community and parents are encouraging. This is a family-friendly employment policy,” said Antonio. “I firmly believe that this anti-discrimination policy should serve as a model for all employers in the state of Ohio.”

In September 2018, while serving as an Ohio Representative, Antonio testified on behalf of Cuyahoga County's anti-discrimination law. The legislation was passed by Cuyahoga County Council.

Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch