Did anti-marriage forces play by the rules in 2004?

Today, ProgressOhio filed a complaint against the organization that advocated for the passage of Ohio's constitutional ban onsame-sex marriage in 2004. The complaint, filed with Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner's Office, raises questions about the financial disclosures of Citizens for Community Values Action (CCVA), chaired by Phil Burress.

The complaint alleges that CCVA raised and spent more than $1.4 million specifically to promote the amendment, known as Issue 1, but did not file appropriate campaign finance reports. "The timing of the creation of CCVA, and the money it spent topromote Issue 1, suggest it was created to try and end-run campaign disclosure laws," said Brian Rothenberg of ProgressOhio in a prepared statement.

Non-profits can give to ballot issue campaigns, but if they are created for the sole purpose of a ballot issue campaign, they have to follow Ohio election law requiring Political Action Committees (PACs) to detail the sources of their donations and expenditures, something they did not do.

Regardless of the final findings, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner's investigation into CCVA's finances will not impact the ultimate outcome of the 2004 vote on the amendment and cannot reverse the ballot measure's passage.

We want you to know that Equality Ohio strives to comply with the letter and spirit of Ohio election law. We believe that honesty and transparency in elections are important values that must be upheld, and we await the Secretary of State's findings in this investigation.

We promise to keep you updated about this as it moves through the process.

-- Lynne Bowman, Executive Director

Columbus Dispatch reports on LGBT rights poll

The Columbus Dispatch picked up the polling story in this March 10 article:

Ohioans remain vigorously opposed to same-sex marriage but support banning discrimination against gays in employment and housing, a new statewide survey indicates.

Equality Ohio, a gay and transgender advocacy group that rose after passage of the constitutional amendment on marriage in 2004, concludes there is "a gap between where our values are and where our laws are."

"I believe it shows that marriage is a different issue for folks," said Lynne Bowman, executive director of the Equality Ohio Education Fund, which commissioned the survey.

New Poll: Ohioans Support Equal Rights for LGBT People

Today, Equality Ohio Education Fund, a statewide, equal-rights education and advocacy organization, released the results of a survey commissioned to determine where voters really stand on issues related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Ohio.

The end of year survey, conducted by The Glengariff Group, Inc., polled 800 registered Ohio voters, and asked questions on a variety of topics including hospital visitation, workplace discrimination and same-sex marriage.

Overall, a majority of Ohioans support most equal rights and protections for LGBT individuals and families. The most significant research result indicates 91% support for legislation giving same-sex couples the guaranteed right to visit their partner in the hospital, should s/he become ill.

“This is an exceptional response to such an important issue facing many LGBT Ohioans,” said Lynne Bowman, Executive Director of Equality Ohio Education Fund. “Everyone should have the guaranteed right to visit their sick or dying partner. Hospital visitation is an issue on which almost all Ohio voters can agree.”