The Equality Act was introduced yesterday by US House and Senate Democrats, intended to serve as a comprehensive civil rights bill for the LGBTQ community. Locally, representatives at Equality Ohio were quick to show their support of the movement.
“The Equality Act is an important step forward in our ongoing work,” said Grant Stancliff, communications director for Equality Ohio. “LGBTQ people have always been part of our Ohio communities. When it comes to earning a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should not be discriminated against and should be treated like anyone else.”
The Equality Act would serve as an expansion of 1964’s Civil Right Act, extending discrimination protections beyond what has been proposed in the Employment Nondiscrimination Act. The legislation would address discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender expression in the realms of housing, financial lending, employment, public accommodations and jury service.
Equality Ohio stated that nearly 70 percent of Americans support the idea of protecting LGBT people with nondiscrimination laws, while 79% of Ohioans think that Ohio should pass this type of law.
“Today’s announcement in Washington DC elevates the importance of our efforts to secure protections for LGBT people in Ohio,” said Alana Jochum with Equality Ohio. “Passing local and state level nondiscrimination protections strengthens Ohio’s economy and sends a strong message: Ohio is not only open for business, it is open for talent.”
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