As I live and breathe Ohio's House passed a gay rights bill

[dsc]

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/13013/ohios-house-sees-the-light-passes-lgbt-nondiscrimination-bill

Ohio has been one of those states that was fertile ground for a marriage amendment; in 2004 there were not enough progressive or moderate voters to keep it at bay, a cornucopia of religious fundamentalists and bigots marshalled forces to power it through to the polls where it easily passed, 61.7%-38.3%. If only it had been able to stop that amendment to wait for the people and the legislature to catch up culturally as more states approved marriage equality -- and the world didn't come to an end.

But there is ray of light today as the Ohio House passed a state non-discrimination bill, H.B. 176, the Equal Housing and Employment Act. Chris@Law Dork:

The EHEA would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations in Ohio, and its passage in the House marks the first time a pro-LGBT bill passed either chamber of the Ohio Statehouse.

Sponsors Rep. Dan Stewart (D) and Rep. Ross McGregor (R) both spoke in favor of the bill's passage, with Stewart talking about the changes in our past leading toward more enlightened positions on equality - including a mention of P.M. Gordon Brown's apology of last week - and urging that "Injustice to one is injustice to all."

end of quote

I just can't believe this. I hope the Ohio Senate, which is still GOP, actually passes this. Yeah my old home state.

[aquart]

1. For Dennis, who wouldn't have believed it, HOORAY!

[Wetzelbill]

2. This is true?

I am waiting for the punchline.

[Kittycat]

3. Still a right to work state...

It might as well be a don't ask, don't tell policy.

[imdjh]

5. "Right to work." doesn't mean much in discrimination law.

No matter where you are, a company that fires or refuses to hire a person based on status is going to make an "articulable argument" for the reason for their decision.

[Bill McBlueState]

10. not according to wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-to-work_law#U.S._states_with_right-to-work_laws

[dsc]

11. I think you mean at will, not right to work

Ohio isn't a right to work state, that refers to not allowing closed shops. Ohio is an at will employment state as is nearly every state.

[imdjh]

4. Ohio is one of few states which protects people on the basis of Appalachian ancestry, no?

I always thought that was pretty progressive. Lots of people probably don't give a lot of thought to discrimination against "hillbillies" because the term isn't generally used to describe a demographic, but it's certainly a factor in many places.

[dsc]

6. didn't know that

it would be fairly sensible to be honest though. Lots of Appalachian people in Ohio.

[Wetzelbill]

9. Now that is interesting

Do you have any links to anything on that? That's something I'd like to look up.

[imdjh]

12. Apparently I was wrong.

There was a case in 2005 of a Appalachian woman suing the state and state employees (who were black) for discriminating against her at her place of employment. The case was dismissed for timing and venue with comment that Appalachian ancestry isn't a protected class. I'd love to know how you figure that race is a subject class but that Appalachian-ancestry isn't. The judge wrote that it was for lack of a common national origin. ???? You mean like being Ulster Scots? Moron. OK, so there is some German and Irish in there too, but no one picks apart a black person's ancestry as long as he's "darker than the grocery bag."

Anyway, I know I didn't make it up, so perhaps it's a Columbus Ohio local law.

[CitizenLeft]

7. well hey now!!!

:applause:

My state is trying to crawl out of the Dark Ages! Hurry Ohio! :woohoo:

[PinkoDonkey]

8. Way to go, Ohio!

If this passed, it could potentially help a number of people very close to me. Thanks for passing this along.
:thumbsup:

[theHandpuppet]

13. Wow! Hell hath frozen over

This is great news.

[Starry Messenger]

14. That's excellent news dsc.

I have family from there, too.