Columbus Public Health Named Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality by Human Rights Campaign Foundation

Columbus Public Health – Press Release

For Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Contact:           Jose Rodríguez                     

Columbus Public Health Named Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality by Human Rights Campaign Foundation

Designation Part of Healthcare Equality Index 2014

Columbus Public Health has been recognized as a Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation -- the educational arm of the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization. 

The findings were part of HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index 2014, a unique annual survey that encourages equal care for LGBT Americans and recognizes healthcare institutions doing the best work.

Columbus Public Health earned top marks in meeting non-discrimination and training criteria that demonstrate its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients, and their families, who can face significant challenges in securing the quality health care and respect they deserve.

“This national designation recognizes our strong commitment to serving the healthcare needs of our LGBTQ community,” says Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman.  “And, it is a great opportunity to attract the most qualified and talented public health professionals to an organization where they can thrive and serve all Columbus residents.”

“Fairness and equality are part of our core public health values – and there are critical to our work serving the LGBTQ community and decreasing the health disparities that exist,” says Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long. “It is an honor to be nationally recognized for the work we do every day in our community.” 

Columbus Public Health was one of a select group of 426 healthcare facilities nationwide to be named Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality. Facilities awarded this title meet key criteria, including patient and employee non-discrimination policies that specifically mention sexual orientation and gender identity, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents, and LGBT health education for key staff members.

“Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality change the lives of LGBT patients and their families for the better each and every day,” said Chad Griffin, HRC president.  “LGBT people should be treated equally in all aspects of our lives, and HRC celebrates Columbus Public Health for its tireless work to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all patients.”

For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index 2014, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/hei. For more information about Columbus Public Health, visit publichealth.columbus.gov.

###

Demand for homes high in central Ohio

Demand for homes high in central Ohio

(June 23, 2014 Columbus, OH) –  There were 3,935 central Ohio homes and condos listed for sale in May 2014, 7.1 percent lower than the previous year, but up 6.2 percent from April.

With an inventory level of 8,766, the number of homes on the market is 12.9 percent lower than May 2013 according to the Columbus REALTORS® Multiple Listing System (MLS).

“We’re averaging over 125 homes listed for sale daily, but the demand continues to outpace the supply,” said Milt Lustnauer, 2014 president of Columbus REALTORS®. “Home sales continue to rise as we move into summer, so it’s a great time to sell your home with buyer interest so high right now.”

There were 2,569 central Ohio homes and condos sold in May 2014, up 17 percent from the 2195 homes sold the previous month

The average sale price was $184,474, which was up 4.9 percent than last year and up 4.7 percent from April.

“Sales prices in central Ohio continue to climb, as they have since the beginning of the year,” Lustnauer said. “Unlike during the housing boom, home price increases are reasonable and sustainable so we anticipate prices continuing to rise at this type of pace throughout the year.”

According to the latest Housing Market Confidence Index (by the Ohio Association of REALTORS®) 100 percent of central Ohio REALTORS® describe the current housing market as moderate to strong and expect it to remain so over the next six months. Ninety-four percent of central Ohio REALTORS® also expect housing prices to rise over the course of the next year.

Given current market conditions, 39 percent of sellers in central Ohio are becoming more realistic when anticipating the value of their home to put on the market. But 42 percent seem less realistic about the value of their home.

Current housing report – May 2014
All housing reports

Columbus Ohio April 2014 Report: Prices up; inventory low

(May 22, 2014 Columbus, OH) –  The median sale price of a home in April 2014 was $151,900 which was 10.3 percent higher than the previous year and also up 10.3 percent from the previous month. The average sale price was $176,801, which was up 8.1 percent than last year and up 2.8 percent from March.

The average price is the total volume divided by the number of homes sold. The median is the midpoint -- half the homes sell for less, while half sell for more.

“Sales prices have consistently been up for the last few months, fortunately for sellers,” said Milt Lustnauer, 2014 president of Columbus REALTORS®. “If you’re considering listing your home, right now is a great time to do it. There are still more buyers than sellers in the central Ohio market and sales prices continue to increase.”

There were 2,127 central Ohio homes sold in April of 2014, 15.2 percent lower than April 2013, but up 18.4 percent from the previous month.

There were 3,697 central Ohio homes and condos listed for sale in April 2014. Although down 7.4 percent from inventory one year ago, this is up 7.8 percent from the 3,428 added the previous month according to the Columbus REALTORS® Multiple Listing System (MLS).

With an inventory level of 8,279, the number of homes on the market is 16.7 percent lower than April 2013.

“Inventory in central Ohio is unfortunately still below what we expected it to be, particularly since there are a significant number of motivated buyers,” Lustnauer said. “However, as temperatures rise, the number of homes coming on the market are  increasing as well.”

According to the latest Housing Market Confidence Index (by the Ohio Association of REALTORS®) 95 percent of central Ohio REALTORS® describe the current housing market as moderate to strong 95 percent expect home prices to increase over the next year.

Although mortgage interest rates have risen slightly and are expected to continue increasing throughout the year, 39 percent of respondents think that home sales will increase regardless of higher interest rates.

Additionally, 34 percent are seeing higher than normal early spring activity.

Current housing report – March 2014

All housing reports

Columbus REALTORS® is comprised of over 6,000 real estate professionals engaged in residential sales and leasing, commercial sales and leasing, property management, appraisal, consultation, real estate syndication, land development and more.

The Columbus REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service (MLS) serves all of Franklin, Delaware, Fayette, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway and Union Counties and parts of Athens, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Fairfield, Hocking, Knox, Logan, Marion, Muskingum, Perry and Ross Counties.

To view commercial properties for sale or lease in central Ohio, visit www.COCIE.org.

To view residential properties for sale, visit www.terrrypenrod.com.

Watch Live - Harvey Milk Stamp Unveiling Ceremony Thursday, May 22 at 3 pm ET

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Watch Live: Harvey Milk Stamp Unveiling Ceremony This Thursday, May 22, the White House Office of Public Engagement, the United States Postal Service and the Harvey Milk Foundation will host a first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Harvey Milk Forever Stamp at the White House. The event will feature remarks by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Representative John Lewis, Deputy Postmaster General Ronald A. Stroman, and other distinguished guests including the Co-Founders of the Harvey Milk Foundation, Stuart Milk and Anne Kronenberg. Watch live starting at 3:00 p.m. EST at www.whitehouse.gov/live. If you're following on social media, the hashtag is #HarveyMilkStamp. (by United States Postal Service) Harvey Milk was a visionary leader who became one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S. when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Milk's achievements gave hope and confidence to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in the United States and elsewhere at a time when the community was encountering widespread hostility and discrimination. Milk believed that government should represent all citizens, ensuring equality and providing needed services. Tragically, his political career was cut short less than a year after he took office in California when he and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were assassinated on November 27, 1978. In 2009, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Harvey Milk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. And in 2013, the White House Office of Public Engagement honored ten openly LGBT elected and appointed officials as "Harvey Milk Champions of Change." See more information on the Harvey Milk Forever Stamp.

Since Historic Supreme Court Rulings, Not a Single State Marriage Ban Has Survived a Federal Court Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 20, 2014
Charles Joughin 

Since Historic Supreme Court Rulings, Not a Single State Marriage Ban Has Survived a Federal Court Challenge

Today Pennsylvania became the tenth state where a federal judge has struck down a marriage ban since historic U.S. Supreme Court decisions last year

WASHINGTON - As national polling continues to show Americans moving inexorably in the direction of supporting equality for same-sex couples, there are at least 70 court cases challenging discriminatory marriage bans across the country.  44 of these cases are currently pending in federal courts while 27 are pending in state courts, all in 29 states plus Puerto Rico. 

Same-sex couples can legally marry in eighteen states and the District of Columbia, while 32 states have a law or constitutional amendment restricting marriage to the union of one man and one woman.  Only two states – North Dakota and South Dakota – have bans on marriage equality but no current court cases challenging their constitutionality.  

Since the U.S. Supreme court ruled in two historic marriage cases last summer, not a single state marriage ban has survived a court challenge. 

So far five federal appeals courts are presiding over ten marriage equality cases over the coming weeks and months.  These cases include:

• Kitchen v. Herbert of Utah [Oral argument at the Tenth Circuit was held April 10, 2014]
• Bishop v. United States out of Oklahoma [Oral argument at the Tenth Circuit was held April 17, 2014]
• Bostic v. Rainey of Virginia, [Oral argument at the Fourth Circuit was held May 13, 2014]
• Sevcik v. Sandoval of Nevada, Ninth Circuit
• Latta v. Otter of Idaho, Ninth Circuit
• Tanco v. Haslam of Tennessee, Sixth Circuit
• Bourke vs. Beshear of Kentucky, Sixth Circuit
• Obergefell v. Kasich of Ohio, Sixth Circuit
• DeBoer v. Snyder of Michigan, Sixth Circuit
• DeLeon v. Perry out of Texas, Fifth Circuit

The Sixth Circuit holds the distinction of being the only federal appeals court to date that will consider marriage cases from all states within its jurisdiction.

Of the ten federal district judges who have struck down marriage bans in the last year, seven were appointed by Democrats and three were appointed by Republicans, including Judge John Jones who issued today’s ruling in Pennsylvania. In fact, former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum referred to Judge Jones as “highly qualified to assume the important role of Judge and the duty of protecting the Constitution and ensuring the effective operation of our judicial system,” when announcing his support for the judge’s confirmation by the Senate.

Today 40 percent of Americans live in states with marriage equality.  If PA Gov. Corbett does not appeal today’s decision and the ruling stands, that number will jump to 44 percent of Americans living in a jurisdiction where same-sex couples can legally marry.

According to a March 2014 Washington Post/ABC News poll, 59 percent of Americans support marriage rights for committed and loving gay and lesbian couples.  That same month, Pew released poll results showing 61 percent of Republicans and Republican leaners under 30 favor marriage equality.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

###

Columbus HRC is proud to award its 2014 Equality Award to Mayor Michael B. Coleman and the Columbus City Council

2014 Columbus Human Rights Campaign Gala

“The Next 30 Years”

http://www.hrccolumbusdinner.com/

For Immediate Release:

Columbus Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is proud to award its 2014 Equality Award to Mayor Michael B. Coleman and the Columbus City Council. The HRC Equality Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of those who dedicate the energy, spirit, and whole-hearted commitment to better the lives of LGBT people. This award is given to allies inside and outside the LGBT community who stand up on behalf of equality for all Americans. Recipients have shown a commitment to making America a place where LGBT people can be open, honest, and safe at home, at work, in the community, and in the media.

Under the leadership of Mayor Coleman and City Council, the city of Columbus achieved a score of 100%, the highest score possible, on the Municipal Equality Index (MEI) compiled by HRC and the Equality Federation Institute. As explained by HRC, “the Municipal Equality Index (MEI) examines the laws, policies, and services of municipalities and rates them on the basis of their inclusivity of LGBT people who live and work there.” Of the 291 municipalities surveyed in 2013, Columbus was one of 25 to receive a perfect score.

The award will be presented to Mayor Coleman and City Council at the annual Columbus HRC Gala on May 31, 2014.

About the Event:

The Gala is Columbus Human Rights Campaign (HRC)’s biggest event of the year. It’s attended by corporate partners, activists, and community members who wish to support the work HRC provides the community. Last year over 600 guests celebrated Columbus HRC’s 30th Anniversary, and the organization looks forward to another outpouring of support as it prepares for the next 30 years.

Details:

May 31, 2014

Ohio Union – Archie Griffin Ballroom

1739 North High St.

Columbus OH, 43210

Receptions begin at 6:00pm with dinner to follow

Central Ohio Home Inventory Rising With The Temperatures

Home inventory rising with the temperatures

(Apr. 20, 2014 Columbus, OH) –  There were 3,428 central Ohio homes and condos listed for sale in March 2014. Although down 2.1 percent from inventory one year ago, this is up 48.3 percent from the 2,310 added the previous month according to the Columbus REALTORS® Multiple Listing System (MLS).

“After one of the coldest winters on record, many sellers were waiting to put their home on the market,” said Milt Lustnauer, 2014 president of the Columbus REALTORS®. “It’s a great time to sell a home due to the lack of inventory available.”

“But it’s also a great time to buy a home as interest rates are likely going to increase. Buyers can undoubtedly get more home for their money today than they will be able totomorrow.”

The sale price of a home sold in March 2014 was $172,019, which was 6.6 percent higher than the previous year. The median sale price of $143,500 was up 6.3 percent compared to March 2013.

There were 1,796 central Ohio homes sold in March of 2014, 10.5 percent lower than March 2013, but up over 24 percent from the previous month.

With an inventory level of 8,066, the number of homes on the market is 13.9 percent lower than March 2013.

“Inventory levels are still lagging in central Ohio, much to the chagrin of a significant number of motivated buyers right now,” said Lustnauer. “With temperatures on the rise, we expect inventory to continue in that direction as well in the coming months.”

According to the latest Housing Market Confidence Index (by the Ohio Association of REALTORS®) 95 percent of central Ohio REALTORS® describe the current housing market as moderate to strong and 98 percent expect the market to be moderate to strong over the next six months. As for housing prices, 95 percent expect housing prices to rise over the next year. Additionally, since the weather has started to improve, 34 percent of respondents have seen higher than normal early spring activity.

Current housing report – March 2014

All housing reports

Columbus REALTORS® is comprised of over 6,000 real estate professionals engaged in residential sales and leasing, commercial sales and leasing, property management, appraisal, consultation, real estate syndication, land development and more.

The Columbus REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service (MLS) serves all of Franklin, Delaware, Fayette, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway and Union Counties and parts of Athens, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Fairfield, Hocking, Knox, Logan, Marion, Muskingum, Perry and Ross Counties.

To view properties for sale, visit www.terrypenrod.com

Full report