Equality Ohio: South Euclid is the 20th Ohio municipality to enact LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination law

SOUTH EUCLID, OH - April 9, 2018 ––At tonight's council meeting, South Euclid, Ohio passed LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination protections in a unanimous vote.

They join 19 other Ohio municipalities to enact such a law, including: Akron, Athens, Bexley, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Columbus, Coshocton, Dayton, East Cleveland, Lakewood, Kent, Newark, Olmsted Falls, Oxford, Toledo, Yellow Springs and Youngstown.

"Cities like South Euclid are doing what the Ohio legislature has not. Ohio should be sending the message that we are open for business and LGBTQ people are welcome in our state, not that our doors are closed," said Grant Stancliff, communications director, Equality Ohio. "Most Ohioans support LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination policies. In fact, over 330 corporations, law firms and universities have joined Ohio Business Competes, a coalition in favor of updating Ohio's nondiscrimination policy to include LGBTQ people."

Ohio Business Competes members include chambers of commerce from across the state, universities, law firms, small businesses and major Ohio employers such as Timken Steel, Whirlpool, Eaton, GE Aviation and KeyBank.

Rep. Nickie Antonio has introduced HB160, also known as the Ohio Fairness Act, which would accomplish at the state level what South Euclid did at the local level this evening. In January, the bill received proponent testimony––a first in nearly a decade. The bill received overwhelming support and over 150 pieces of written testimony, including by member businesses of Ohio Business Competes.

About Equality Ohio: Equality Ohio advocates and educates on behalf of LGBTQ Ohioans and envisions a state that everyone can call home, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

Equality Ohio contact: Grant Stancliff, grant@equalityohio.org, 509-230-8176

About Ohio Business Competes: Ohio Business Competes is a coalition of Ohio employers in support of modernizing Ohio's nondiscrimination laws by including LGBTQ people int eh areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations. Members can be viewed at ohiobusinesscompetes.org/members.