Ohio Anti-Gender Discrimination Bill To Get Second Reading

COLUMBUS, OH — On Wednesday morning, House Bill 160 will get its second reading in the Government Accountability and Oversight Committee. The legislation would expand Ohio's protection laws, prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.

The legislation is sponsored by Lakewood State Representative Nickie Antonio, Democrat. She first introduced the bill in 2011, but this is the first time the legislation has received further consideration by the Ohio House.

One of the reasons the bill is getting more consideration in 2018 is Ohio Business Connects, a coalition of Ohio companies that are looking to change policies in the Buckeye State. With more than 200 member companies, the OBC has some serious weight behind its lobbying. Among the member companies are Procter & Gamble, Key Bank and General Electric.

"Both the sheer numbers and caliber of the businesses that have joined Ohio Business Competes is encouraging. As a legislator who has worked for years on legislation promoting fairness for all LGBTQ+ Ohioans, I see this as a positive step in the right direction," Antonio said when the OBC announced its membership growth.

The American Civil Liberties Union is also advocating for the bill, saying, "This measure protects LGBT people statewide, bringing them a step closer to full access to their legal rights." The ACLU said that while LGBT Ohioans have been striving towards equality, they're not afforded the same rights as other Ohioans just yet.

"Gay and transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against," the ACLU said.

To read the full text of the bill and learn more about its sponsors, click here.

Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch