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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > June > 05 > Entry
Brunner supports gay rights legislation
Democrat Jennifer Brunner, who is running for her party’s nomination for the 2010 U.S. Senate race, is supporting a bill in the Ohio House that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Our state and our nation have long banned discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender and religion,” Brunner said in a press release. “These matters are not matters of choice, but of the diversity of the human condition. Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity are incompatible with our laws guaranteeing freedom from discriminatory treatment. We must become a more tolerant society, respecting one another and guaranteeing equal rights to the freedoms and prosperity of our society to all.”
House Bill 176 is expected to pass the Democrat-controlled House but it may stall in the GOP-controlled Senate. This is the fourth time in eight years that such legislation has been introduced in Ohio.
At the federal level, the Employee Non-Discrimination Act is expected to be introduced in Congress this year.
Brunner, who is secretary of state, is up against Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher for the Democratic nomination. On the Republican side, the leading contender is former U.S. Rep. and White House budget director Rob Portman.
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Comments
By Brian
June 17, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this
Let’s flip this around for just a second. Imagine your a heterosexual. Your boss is gay. He finds out you are straight and fires you because you’re straight. It would be perfectly legal by Ohio law for him to do so. Sexual orientation includes straight. This law protects heterosexuals as well as GLBT people from being fired or losing their homes just because they are what they are.By proud
June 10, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this
Daisy- worry about your own soul- don’t judge, how about you abide by that bible you quote…and by the way I vote, too!By Daisy Carter
June 8, 2009 9:01 PM | Link to this
First of all, I will pray for your soul, 21st Century Man. Secondly, homosexuality is a lifestyle-a choice. It is a sin-plain and simple, as is adultery,fornication, stealing from your neighbor, etc.Read your Bible Folks. It’s not my word-it’s God’s word and one day people who choose to live in sin instead of following Christ’s teachings will realize the truth. We are to love our brothers and sisters, but despise the sin. I regret that our government continues to push this lifestyle on Christians-after all, we deserve rights too. I hope all Christians in Ohio vote against Jennifer Brunner and write your Representatives and Senators to vote NO on HB 176.By Rep.Dan Stewart
June 8, 2009 7:51 PM | Link to this
As the sponsor of HB 176, let me clear up some misunderstanding some may have on the bill. HB 176 has NOTHING to do with marriage. This isn’t about “special rights”, it’s the same rights all the rest of us have. It simply says people cannot be discriminated against in housing, employment or other “public accommodations” simply because of their sexual orientation. It comes down to this, do you think people should be fired or denied an apartment solely because they are gay or lesbian? A recent poll say 72% of Ohioans says there should be protection against that. For those who disagree, you have a right to your opinion, just make sure of what it is that you disagree with first. Does this type of discimination happen? Yes, unfortunately it does. Won’t there be a rash of lawsuites? No, not in the 21 states that have passed legislation already. 90% of Fortune 500 companies have this policy and the State of Ohio employees have this type of protection. This is about simple basic rights, and it’s time Ohio to do the right thing.By howard
June 8, 2009 2:27 PM | Link to this
Who cares what Brunner thinks. There is nothing she could do or say that would make me vote for her.By janick
June 8, 2009 9:28 AM | Link to this
I don’t think anyone should be able to discriminate against anyone for anything. I like pizza. I would like that added to the leiglation as well. I think smokers would like to be added too. You see, in the old days (of sanity) you used to be required to demonstrate a serious disadvantage (economic, etc) in order for the law to give you special protection. That hasn’t been demonstrated among the GLTB group of dual incomes/no children. So give me my pizza clause!By 21 st Century Man
June 8, 2009 9:20 AM | Link to this
To all commenters: Please stop using your imaginary god to justify your views. God is a fiction invented by humans.By aharddaysnight
June 8, 2009 9:00 AM | Link to this
Unreal, yes it is the same. Whether you want to admit it or not,seperate but equal is NEVER equal no matter your race,gender or sexual orientation.By aharddaysnight
June 8, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this
Unreal, it is the same. Seperate but equal is NEVER equal no matter if it’s race, gender, or sexual orientation.By bob
June 8, 2009 12:50 AM | Link to this
I chose to be straight when some perv tried to seduce me into his sick lifestyle. I chose the high road.By Paula
June 7, 2009 9:22 PM | Link to this
People like Jim here are ignorant! Yes, God did have a design on sexual orientation. If it was a choice, what age and what moment in life did you chose to be straight. Additionally, Gay people are not asking for any special rights. Rather, the same rights that everyone elese has.By resident
June 7, 2009 8:53 PM | Link to this
Typical. God made us yes. He also set down some basic “rules” for us to live by. It’s not “everything goes” contrary to popular belief. You don’t steal from others, murder others or lie. And you don’t mess with Nature’s mechanics. And no this doesn’t make anyone a bigot. That word means NOTHING now.By Jim
June 7, 2009 3:15 PM | Link to this
GOD MADE US TO BE IN HIS IMAGE. GOD DID NOT MAKE PEOPLE GAY,PERVERTS MADE GAYS.By Vanessa
June 7, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe this isn’t illegal today. Oh wiat. Maybe I can, based on some of the bigoted comments to this post. Open your hearts and minds people. If God made me and God made you, God made our gay friends, neighbors and family members.By ron
June 6, 2009 3:03 PM | Link to this
Oh,goody, goody, I can’t wait. The first time I don’t get my way I will claim discrimination and that I’m gay and collect a bundle. Who in the world will know if I am or not?By resident
June 6, 2009 12:05 AM | Link to this
Your view of “god” is like my view of life as a 5 year old. I wanted to do anything I wanted, when I wanted to and I didn’t want anyone telling me no. One day you will grow up and realize the “rules” have been put in place for a very logical reason. In the meantime, push it to the limit. No rules..no fear….until you end up needing them both.By unreal
June 5, 2009 11:58 PM | Link to this
If I were a Black man in this country, knowing full well the fight that took place in places like Selma and Birmingham, I would be FURIOUS with anyone that dares to compare the fight for a man ‘s civil rights with his right to engage in anal sex. There is no comparison. You all have the right to engage in any type of sex you want. No one needs to know. But there are Black men in the south who still can’t get a job based on race. Keep your sexual “love” to yourselves. The true fight for civil rights does NOT include this perversion.By Sandstorm
June 5, 2009 10:56 PM | Link to this
Thank you, Jennifer, for standing up for equal rights for ALL. And, yes, gay marriage needs to be happening in our state as well. Love is love - why can’t everyone understand this simple fact. Love knows no color, race, creed, or sexual orientation. And please remember that our creator loves all of us without exception. The God I believe in would never condemn any of his children for any reason.By Can't Wait
June 5, 2009 8:08 PM | Link to this
I can’t wait for Brunner to get this going so I she can ensure I am not discriminated against when I want to marry 2 or more women. Go BrunnerBy me
June 5, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this
that ballot was so backwards worded that you had to vote no to mean yes. it was ridiculous. a vote should be taken with straight talk on the ballot! then we eill see how it turns out.By RM, Miamisburg
June 5, 2009 3:46 PM | Link to this
AttN: It’sAboutTime. Ohio “”voted over all Majority”” that marriage is between a Man and Woman..So would have to go on the ballot again for this law to be over turned.By It's about time
June 5, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this
Let’s go even futher and make Ohio state #7 permitting gay marriage. It would be nice to see Ohio out front on this inevitability.By Ralph
June 5, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this
I say, live and let live. I refuse to align my name with any type of discrimination. It’s no different then when we voted to not let women vote, or to let black marry whites, or to let blacks vote. It’s all good old fashioned American ignorance and discrimination. It’s just hiding behind the Bible this time.By Michelle
June 5, 2009 2:09 PM | Link to this
Well said, Ms. Brunner. It will be great to have someone represent Ohio’s true values - namely fair elections, reduction in government waste and equality for ALL of our citizens.