It's common for Maya Simek, Managing Legal Director for Equality Ohio, to pick up the phone and hear from a member of the LGBTQ comunity who is in a legal bind-just because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. "Because many of Ohio's laws are silent with regard to LGBTQ people, they are often treated differently or have unique legal needs related to discrimination, identity theft, and family law issues," said Simek. That is why Equality Ohio is opening a free legal clinic aimed at supporting the LGBTQ community.

January 14, 2019 - Today, Governor Mike DeWine issued an executive order that prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ state employees. This executive order was among the first six that Governor DeWine signed, underscoring his recognition of the need for respectful and fair treatment of all state employees, including LGBTQ workers.

Governor DeWine's executive order builds on one issued by former Governor John Kasich in late December, where the former Governor added gender identity or expression to his executive order on nondiscrimination. Today, Governor DeWine continued that policy, marking the second time in one month that Republican leadership in Ohio has reaffirmed the humanity of LGBTQ people and the need for fully-inclusive nondiscrimination protections.

December 19, 2018 - Today, Governor John Kasich issued Executive Order 2018-12K to ensure that all Ohioans, including LGBTQ Ohioans, are protected from discrimination in state employment. Although Governor Kasich had previously issued an executive order on nondiscrimination that included sexual orientation, today's Executive Order clearly prohibits discrimination in state employment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and other protected bases such as race, color, religion, age, and disability.

COLUMBUS OH, December 31, 2018 ––On December 12th after their committee meeting, members of the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee smiled, took pictures with each other, and exchanged collegial pleasantries. After they left the room, any realistic chance of passing HB36, also known as the "Pastor Protection Act," left with them.

CLEVELAND - Septmeber25, 2018 ––Cuyahoga County Council just made history for its LGBTQ residents. The council––the first county in Ohio, and only one of two that can enact such a law, the other being Summit––voted to establish county-wide LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination protections. In addition, they created a Human Rights Commission in order to advance a culture of diversity and inclusion, and to respond to complaints of discrimination.

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

COLUMBUS - February 8, 2017 ––A day after legislators formally introduced the "Pastors Protection Act," it is already receiving sponsor and proponent hearings in the House Community and Family Advancement Committee, indicating it may be on the fast track. HB 36 is a solution in search for a problem. It claims to stop lawsuits from same-sex couples against clergy who wish to decline marrying the couples because it is against their faith.

February 22, 2017 - In response to the Department of Justice and Department of Education's move this evening, Grant Stancliff, communications director of Equality Ohio issued the following statement: The Trump administration rescinded best-practice advice informed by parents, transgender children, and years of study on health outcomes for transgender youth.

YOUNGSTOWN––At 2016 Youngstown Pride, Mayor John McNally struck up a conversation with Equality Ohio's Gwen Stembridge. The topic was a recent law change in Newark that made the city's laws more inclusive of LGBTQ people. The Mayor was curious about what Youngstown could do to be more inclusive of all citizens.

COLUMBUS - April 28, 2016 –Today Representative Bill Hayes introduced HB 537, which attempts to make discrimination in housing or employment on the basis of sexual orientation unlawful. However, the bill does nothing for the most vulnerable in the LGBTQ community, transgender Ohioans, and is silent on discrimination in public accommodations