OH: House Passes Major LGBT Rights Bill

Ohio's House of Representatives has passed a sweeping gay rights law that would provide LGBT residents with discrimination protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It is the first time in history that an LGBT rights law has passed in either chamber of Ohio's legislature, a state where an anti-marriage equality law passed easily at the ballot in 2004. Law Dork reports on one of the bill's opponents, who complained that homos are multiplying in Ohio.

No one could have said it better today in the Ohio House of Representatives than Republican Representative Jeff Wagner, when — during the House debate over H.B. 176, the Equal Housing and Employment Act — he told his colleagues, “When speaking against a bill like this, it’s easy to come across the wrong way.” Wagner then did his best to prove his point, talking about the “sexual revolution,” how increased numbers of homosexuals have led to increased incident of sexually transmitted diseases and the dangers inherent in living in a world in which homosexuality is accepted. He told his colleagues, “You can live with whoever you want, but don’t use the state government to force acceptance.”

Sheesh, which is it, Rep. Wingnut? Either there's far fewer of us than we claim, or... (sinister music) WE ARE EVERYWHERE.

The bill is expected to hit the wall in the GOP-ruled Ohio Senate, whose president says there are plenty of protections already in place. Just not that pesky "You're gay? FIRED!" thingy. Just like in 30 other states. Once again: ENDA, ENDA, ENDA.

NOTE: It would be unfair not to note that virtually every major city in Ohio has its own LGBT employment protections. But not everybody lives in a major city.