Executive Order Reflects Ohioans’ Values: Discrimination is Wrong

Columbus, OH – Today Governor Ted Strickland signed an Executive Order protecting more than 60,000 state employees from discrimination based upon their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Contact: Lynne Bowman, Executive Director 614-563-5274 or lynne@equalityohio.org

His move is validated by a statewide poll conducted late last year in which 66 percent of Ohioans said they believe discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) people should be illegal for all employers both public and private. “We thank Governor Strickland for his leadership today,” said Lynne Bowman, Executive Director of Equality Ohio. “When it comes to how we treat lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender citizens and their families, it is high time to align Ohio’s laws and policies with the values of its people. The Governor recognizes that.” Equality Ohio has been working closely with the governor’s policy staff since he took office about the immediate need to protect LGBT employees from discrimination in the workplace. The Executive Order will nudge Ohio out of dead-last place among all the states and the District of Columbia when looking at a broad range of legislative protections for LGBT people and families. Before the Executive Order, Ohio was ranked 51st according to a study by the Equality Ohio Education Fund. “Ohio currently places near the bottom in every important national economic indicator,” said Bowman. “Governor Strickland understands that in order to be economically competitive, Ohio must create an environment that will attract businesses, employees, and families.” Eighty-eight percent of fortune 500 companies and many of Ohio’s own largest corporations have already banned discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation including Wendy’s International, Abercrombie & Fitch, Cooper Tire & Rubber, Nationwide, NCR and Owens Corning. Ohio cities have also listened to their citizens and adopted similar anti-discrimination policies. Cincinnati, Toledo, Athens, Cleveland, Columbus, and Yellow Springs all have protections in place. “The Governor isn’t going out on a limb. Businesses, city leaders, and Ohio voters have said this is the right thing to do,” said Mickey Hart, Chair of Equality Ohio’s Board of Directors. “We appreciate his leadership and hope the 127th General Assembly will take note and continue the momentum toward equality for all Ohioans.”