Straight Ohioans Speak Out: LGBT People Should Have Equal Rights

Columbus, OH – Today, straight Ohioans are reaching out to lawmakers, to tell them that equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people is not “just a gay issue.”

Three years ago this week Ohio’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage went into effect. To mark the anniversary, Equality Ohio Education Fund delivered a book of stories written by straight Ohioans to the legislature and top elected officials. The stories are first-person accounts of why LGBT Ohioans should be fully equal under state laws.


“The stories in the book are a powerful call for state lawmakers to simply do the right thing, and treat all Ohioans with dignity and fairness,” said Lynne Bowman, Executive Director of Equality Ohio. Excerpts from stories told by straight Ohioans:

• “… he died quietly in his partner’s arms. His partner just held him and cried and cried… I remember thinking, why is everyone treating his partner so badly? I thought love is just love, and who are these people to judge?” – Angela, Cincinnati


• “Being a child of a lesbian parent is one of the truest lessons of acceptance and unconditional love.” – Devon, Broadview Heights


• Melanie and her husband in Columbus have many LGBT friends, she writes: “we want them to have the same freedoms and protection that we do. It is only fair.”


• Stephen, a Reverend in Bowling Green, wrote that he is convinced LGBT people “are just like me – many of whom are way more talented and dedicated to a better world than I.”


• “I am writing to you because I want my daughter and her family to feel welcome in Ohio” – Patricia, Columbus
  

“Our cities are forging ahead toward equal rights while state laws lag behind. Ohioans are demanding a change,” Bowman said, referring to recent laws passed last month by Dayton and Toledo. Dayton now protects people from workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation, and Toledo has established a domestic partnership registry. She added that Ohio ranks 42nd out of all 50 states when comparing state-level laws protecting and supporting equal rights for LGBT citizens. That puts us in a tie with Mississippi and Arkansas.

The stories are available online at http://www.equalityohio.org/. Equality Ohio envisions an Ohio where everyone feels at home.