This bill is an example of the kind of law that will silence free expression of religion and faith. We must not allow this bill or any like it to become law. I obtained the following definition and the bill summary online from the Ohio Legislature. The added emphasis in the text (underscored and bold) is mine. I add a few comments and issue a call to action to all who believe as I do that this bill is harmful, needless and wrong. The Freedom's Right blog has a good summary of the specific provisions of this terrible law.
KEY DEFINITION
The bill adds sexual orientation to the covered characteristics that can be the basis for unlawful discriminatory practices under the prohibitions of the existing (Ohio Civil Rights Commission) Law . . .
BILL SUMMARY
· Prohibits dis
criminatory practices on the basis of "sexual orientation," which the bill defines as "heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, asexuality, or transgenderism, whether actual or perceived," under many of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) Law's existing prohibitions against various unlawful discriminatory practices (in employment and employment-related membership situations, in making the full enjoyment of places of public accommodation available to the public, in transactions involving housing accommodations, in the extension of credit, in reporting credit information, and in educational institutions' treatment of individuals with disability) on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, familial status, marital status, national origin, ancestry, or disability ("covered characteristics").· Provides that the Ohio Civil Rights Commission must exercise certain of its existing powers and duties also with respect to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
· Provides that nothing in the OCRC Law's provisions that govern Commission hearings on alleged unlawful discriminatory practices may be construed to authorize or require any person to observe the proportion that persons of any sexual orientation or persons of any of current law's covered characteristics bear to the total population or in accordance with any criterion other than the individual qualifications of an applicant for employment or membership.
· Adds sexual orientation to the list of covered characteristics that are specified in various provisions of current law (14 Revised Code sections) that prohibit persons or entities from discriminating on the basis of most of the covered characteristics.
· Adds sexual orientation to the list of covered characteristics that are specified in various provisions of current law (24 Revised Code sections) that require certain functions or duties to be performed without discrimination, require certain documents to include statements pertaining to nondiscrimination, or pertain to discrimination on the basis of most of the covered characteristics.
COMMENT
The Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee on Civil Justice, chaired by Ohio State Senator David Goodman, is meeting tomorrow (Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 11:00 A.M.) to discuss this unnecessary and even dangerous bill.
This bill is a farce. First of all there are only two genders, male and female. Homosexuality and the other so-called “sexual orientations” are really sexual perversions. Several members in the Ohio Senate want to codify these immoral, unnatural, abnormal and unhealthy practices. The law seeks to legitimize perversion. Being a homosexual, bi-sexual, asexual and transgendered are primarily behavioral choices and behavior should not be a protected civil right any more than any other behavioral choice would be.
People are free to choose to live this way, but we should not sanction and approve that behavior. These individuals are already protected by laws already on the books and to grant them special status is wrong. What makes these sexual disoriented any more deserving of special treatment or privileges than defenseless elderly or helpless children?
All this law will be is a windfall for ACLU lawyers representing those who will claim discrimination for any "real" or "perceived" discrimination. Our courts are already inundated with frivolous lawsuits. Ohio's economy is suffering and these laws will cause businesses to leave Ohio or to think twice about setting up business in Ohio.
TAKE ACTION
Please contact the members of the Ohio Senate’s Judiciary Committee on Civil Justice as soon as possible and urge them not to proceed with this bill.
REPUBLICAN MEMBERS:
Kirk Schuring-Vice chair-614-466-0626
Steve Buehrer-614-466-8150
Keith Faber-614-466-7584
Bill Seitz-614-466-8068
Steve Stivers-614-466-5981
DEMOCRAT MEMBERS:
Eric Kearney-614-466-5980
Teresa Fedor-614-466-5204
Lance Mason-614-466-4583
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