 "Photo: Michael Pickering")
According to a recent study released by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force titled "Mapping Our Rights," Ohio ranks last out of all 50 states in terms of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.
"It is not shocking that we are near the bottom of the list, however, I do find it surprising that we are ranked 50th," said Michaela Frischherz, co-president of Spectrum, Miami University's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Straight Alliance group on campus. "However, there has been a recent decline in our attendance at Spectrum meetings. As a state school, maybe our attendance is a reflection on gay rights in the state of Ohio."
According to the task force, there were three main issues that gave the Buckeye State its last place ranking. First, hate crime laws in the state of Ohio do not include crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Secondly, appellate courts ruled that state adoption laws will not permit second parent adoption. Lastly, in 2004 there was a broader anti-gay family constitutional amendment passed that banned hundreds of legal benefits to same-sex couples.
Many states agree with Ohio on some of these issues, but very few have such rigid regulations in all of these areas.
However, some of this may be changing due to a recent breakthrough in Cincinnati. On Aug. 15, Equal Rights Not Special Rights, a conservative political group, withdrew its petitions to force a referendum on whether gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people should be protected against discrimination in employment and housing under Cincinnati's Human Rights Ordinance.
For the first time in 14 years, this decision will give gay people in the Cincinnati area protection from discrimination. According to a press release issued by Equal Rights Not Special Rights, more than 200,000 people have left the city due to the area's intolerance and prejudice for the gay community since 1992.
The chairman of Equal Rights Not Special Rights, Phil Burress, said the petition was withdrawn due to a discovery of forged signatures on the petitions. Burress and his committee agreed this was not right and immediately withdrew the appeal.
However, Burress said that he was sorry Cincinnati would not have a chance to vote on the matter in November.
Leslie Ghiz, a member of the Cincinnati City Council also commented on the issue.
"I am very happy that this petition has been withdrawn," Ghiz said. "The last thing the city needs is another fight over our Human Rights Ordinance. I believe that this is the beginning of slow changes for the state of Ohio and our progress can be nothing but good."
