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Gay Rights Bill Introduced In Ohio - by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(Columbus, Ohio) Legislation to bar discrimination in employment, housing or public accommodation on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity was introduced Tuesday in the Ohio legislature.

The measure has the bipartisan support of 10 Senators and 18 Representatives who have signed on as co-sponsors.

Sen. Dale Miller (D) is the main sponsor in the Senate. Miller has introduced similar measures in the past only to see them die.

This time he is more hopeful, he told a news conference, noting the legislation now has bipartisan support and the promise of committee hearings.

If the bill passes Gov. Ted Strickland has indicated he will sign it.

LGBT group Equality Ohio welcomed the bill.

"Ohio is among the most unwelcoming states in the nation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people," said Lynne Bowman, the group's executive director.

"Today, Ohio took a major step toward fairness and equality."

A recent survey taken for Equality Ohio found that two thirds of Ohioans favor employment and housing laws that make it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Twenty-one states already have similar laws.

Within Ohio, 11 of the state's four-year public colleges and 16 cities and villages have ordinances that protect their LGBT citizens.

More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies have implemented similar policies.

©365Gay.com 2008

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