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S.B. 305 HAS SECOND HEARING IN THE JUDICIARY
CIVIL JUSTICE COMMITTEE. YOUR ACTION IS NEEDED. PHONE THE SENATORS ON THE COMMITTEE AND URGE THEM TO OPPOSE THIS
SHAM CIVIL RIGHTS BILL
| OCA President Chris Long stated the following in written testimony before the committee:“This
bill seeks to provide a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. There is no evidence of endemic discrimination against
individuals seeking employment in Ohio based on their sexual orientation. The legislation would needlessly have the state
of Ohio designate those living homosexual, bisexual or cross dressing lifestyles as a protected class of citizens.
It would open Pandora’s Box. Were this bill to become law, businesses may be compelled to provide restroom facilities
accommodating transgender and cross-dressing individuals. Public schools may be forced to hire a man who dresses as a woman
to be a 3rd grade teacher. Employers may have to provide costly medical benefits to pay for sex altering surgeries and treatments.
This bill could ultimately be used to undermine and challenge our state’s constitution, which recognizes marriage as
a union between one man and one woman.
This is an effort masquerading under the charade of civil rights to advance
the homosexual agenda and gain state recognition for their lifestyle. It is not necessary and only begs the question of why
our elected representatives are squandering precious legislative business days on an issue such as this when the state’s
economy is in tatters.
”Sexual Orientation as Defined by H.B. 502 and S.B. 305 | (22) "Sexual orientation" means
actual or perceived, heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or gender identity and expression.
(23) "Gender
identity and expression" means the gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior of an individual regardless
of the individual's assigned sex at birth. | Barry Sheets, Director of Governmental Affairs for Citizens for Community Values, one
of the groups opposing S.B. 305, stated, "Lawmakers shouldn't be bullied by guilt and intimidation antics of homosexual
activists. Failure to pass this bill is not granting permission to discriminate, as its proponents claim. To the contrary,
passage of this bill would be discrimination against employers, property owners, and the majority of Ohioans, stripping them
of their basic constitutional right to make decisions based on their deeply held religious convictions and common sense.”
Ohio law currently bans bias in hiring, housing, or access to public accommodations based on race, color, religion,
age, national origin, ancestry, disability, or familial status. This bill would add sexual orientation or gender identity
to the list of protected statuses for hiring, housing, and access to public accomodations in the State of Ohio if enacted
into law.
Call these members of the Senate Judiciary Civil Justice Committee: | Republicans
Sen. Steve Buehrer,
SD01@mailr.sen.state.oh.us , 614/466-8150
Sen. Bill Seitz, sd08@mailr.sen.state.oh.us , 614/466-8068
Sen. Kirk Schuring, SD29@mailr.sen.state.oh.us , 614/466-0626
Sen. Keith Faber, SD12@mailr.sen.state.oh.us , 614/466-7584
Sen. Steve Stivers, sd16@mailr.sen.state.oh.us , 614/466-0101
Sen. David Goodman, dgoodman@mailr.sen.state.oh.us , 614/466-8064
Democrats
Sen. Eric Kearney, Senatorkearney@maildsen.state.oh.us , 614/466-5980
Sen. Lance Mason, senatormason@maild.senstate.oh.us , 614/466-4583
Sen. Teresa Fedor, fedoroffice@maild.sen.state.oh.us , 614/466-5204
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