Senate Holds Hearing on Bill to Add Sexual Orientation to Civil Rights Law

This week the Senate held its first hearing on The Ohio Fairness Act, Senate Bill 11, which bill sponsor, Senator Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood), described as updating the Ohio Civil Rights Law by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to existing protections in matters of housing, employment and in the public sphere.

The bill also upholds all existing religious exemptions under the Ohio Civil Rights Law.

Senator Antonio testified: “Ohio is one of 28 states that do not have clear non-discrimination protections for members of the LGBTQ community.”

Similar legislation has been introduced over the last several General Assemblies. 3/14/2019