2019-09 - Support Ohio Fairness Act

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Anderson, Bullock, George, i_itten, O'Leary, RESOLUTION NO. 2019-09 BY: O'Malley, Rader A RESOLUTION supporting the bipartisan Ohio Fairness Act. WHEREAS, the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives are currently considering the Ohio Fairness Act (SB 11, HB369); and, WHEREAS, this legislation changes Ohio's anti -discrimination laws to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as protected classes, expanding legal protections in housing, employment, and access to public services; and, WHEREAS, in 2016, Lakewood City Council passed Ordinance 1-16, which extended non-discrimination protection to people based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression in areas of housing, education, employment, and public accommodation. WHEREAS, The Ohio Fairness Act would ensure that all Ohio residents are able to enjoy basic freedom from discrimination where they work, live, and engage in commerce. WHEREAS, Nearly three quarters of Ohioans favor employment and housing laws that make it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and of the state's top 98 employers, over 80 have nondiscrimination policies; and, WHEREAS, Fairness, love, family and stability are all excellent reasons to ensure that nondiscrimination legislation and equality are a reality for all Ohioans. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Lakewood: SECTION 1: That the City of Lakewood strongly supports the Ohio Fairness Act, and urges members of the Ohio legislature to act with fairness and justice in ensuring that all Ohioans enjoy freedom from discrimination. SECTION 2: That the Clerk of Council is hereby directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, House Civil Justice Committee Chair Stephen D. Hambley, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair John Eklund, Senator Nickie J. Antonio, Representative Michael J. Skindell, and to all other members of the Ohio House Civil Justice Committee and Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee. SECTION 3. It is found and determined that all formal actions of this Council concerning and relating to the passage of this resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Council, and that all such deliberations of this Council and of any of its committees that resulted in such formal action, were in meetings open to the public in compliance with all legal requirements.