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LGBT Rights

Updated 12.01.09 The ACLU believes that individuals should not be discriminated against based on sexual orientation or gender identity. To that end, the ACLU deploys legal, educational and legislative resources to fight for full legal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, whether in employment, schools, marriage or parenting.

What’s Happening in Ohio

June was Pride month! Check out pictures of our volunteers in action at the Youngstown and Cleveland Pride festivals on our Facebook page.

Equal Housing and Employment Act
In September, 2009, the Ohio House of Representatives passed the Equal Housing and Employment Act (EHEA), H.B. 176, by a vote of 56 - 39. The bill is now before the Senate. If passed, this legislation will protect Ohioans from losing their jobs or housing because of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Learn what you can do to extend equality in Ohio.

Domestic Partner Registries
In December, 2008, Cleveland City Council became the third city in Ohio  -- joining Toledo and Cleveland Heights -- to pass a domestic partner registry. Read our press release.

Marriage Equality
The pursuit of marriage equality is an ongoing struggle. A handful of states recognize full marriage benefits, civil unions, domestic partnerships, or other types of legal recognition. But other states have either state laws or constitutional provisions barring same-sex marriage or relationship recognition.

In November 2004, Ohio’s state constitution was amended by ballot Issue 1 to ban same sex marriage. Read the ACLU of Ohio's statement.

Article 15, Section 11 of the Ohio Constitution now says that the state shall not create or recognize relationships of unmarried adults that approximates marriage. In 2007, the Ohio Supreme Court interpreted the reach of Issue 1 in the case Ohio v. Carswell. Read the ACLU of Ohio press release and amicus.

Anti-discrimination Ordinances
These Ohio cities and counties have an LGB or LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance: Akron, Athens, Bowling Green*, Canton, Cincinnati*, Cleveland*, Cleveland Heights, Columbus*, Dayton*, Lakewood, North Olmsted, Oberlin, Oxford*, Shaker Heights*, Summit County*, Toledo*, and Yellow Springs*.
 * Denotes that the ordinance also covers gender identity.


Get Active!

Urge your senator to support the Equal Housing and Employment Act.

Expand rights in your community! Our LGBT Activism 101 fact sheet will help you get started.

Tell 3 people why you support LGBT rights and take a step towards equality.


Resources

Use our Students! Know Your Rights guide in conjunction with your school's handbook.

Can you take a same-sex date to the prom?

Know Your Rights: Transgender People and the Law
This brochure provides an overview of the legal issues affecting the transgender community.

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law LGBT Symposium Research Resources

Equality Ohio

TransOhio

TransFamily

Gay Ohio History Initiative (GOHI)

National ACLU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Project

Human Rights Campaign

Freedom To Marry

Lambda Legal

The Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN)

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)

National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce

Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG)

The Gender Public Advocacy Coalition (GenderPAC) works to end discrimination and violence caused by gender stereotypes.

Read LGBT related news releases and articles in our News Center.