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01.20.12

ACLU Urges Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium to Expand Definition of Family for Discounted Passes
Current Policy Excludes Single Parents, Grandparents, and Others

CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio sent a letter today urging officials in Cuyahoga Falls to expand the types of families who may receive discounted passes at the city-owned natatorium.

The facility’s policy made news recently when two Akron men, one an injured Iraq war veteran, asked to convert their individual memberships to a family membership after they were legally married in Washington, D.C. Natatorium employees denied their request; claiming only married couples recognized by the state of Ohio qualify for the plan.

“Cuyahoga Falls should be a welcoming place for all Ohio residents,” said ACLU of Ohio Executive Director Christine Link,” However the city natatorium is behind the times compared to many other facilities that do not allow this type of discrimination.”

“Communities around the state have recognized that in order to attract skilled people, they must be inclusive of a wide variety of people,” added Link. “City pools should be a place where families can congregate and forge bonds with their neighbors, yet Cuyahoga Falls’ policy sends the message that some members of the community are simply unwelcome. This is unfair and harms the children in these families who are stigmatized by the policy.”

After receiving a flood of emails, Cuyahoga Falls city leaders are now considering whether to broaden the rules to allow same sex couples, and other non-traditional families access to the discounted natatorium plan.

Discrimination based on marital status is illegal in Ohio in the context of employment and housing. Additionally, some cities like Cincinnati have added marital status to anti-discrimination laws governing access to public accommodations.

In its letter, the ACLU pointed out that the natatorium’s policy could affect a whole spectrum of families including households where a parent passes away, grandparents or siblings who are raising a family member’s children, foster parents, and same sex couples.

“In today’s world, communities need to welcome families of all shapes and sizes,” said Link. “We hope Cuyahoga Falls will listen to the feedback they have received and create a fair, inclusive policy that is welcoming of all residents.”

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Read the letter to the Cuyahoga Falls Department of Parks and Recreation.

View the ACLU of Ohio LGBT Rights page.

 


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