Gov. Ted Strickland Vows to Continue Fight for Equality in Ohio

It was a great event!

clipped from www.hrcbackstory.org Last week, members of the LGBT community and allies gathered to show their support for Governor Ted Strickland’s re-election campaign. At a fundraiser held in the heart of Columbus, Ohio and sponsored by the HRC Ohio Families PAC, Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio, the Ohio Democratic Party’s LGBT Caucus, and Equality Ohio, Governor Ted Strickland affirmed his continued support for the LGBT community. Joined by his running-mate, lieutenant governor candidate Yvette McGee Brown, Governor Strickland was greeted by more than 50 people who support his bid for re-election. During his first term in office, Governor Strickland has continually supported equality for LGBT Ohioans and has become one of the state’s most vocal advocates for equality. Strickland's running mate, Yvette McGee Brown (right) speaks with a supporter Within months of taking office, Governor Strickland signed an executive order prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in state employment. In 2009, he signed into law state provisions making it easier for individuals to purchase health insurance for their same-sex partners. Strickland has time and again reiterated his support for the Equal Housing and Employment Act, which passed the Ohio House of Representatives but awaits action in the state senate, and has brought fairness to his appointments by naming an openly gay Cabinet Director and at least two openly gay state judges. Governor Strickland and Lieutenant Governor candidate Yvette McGee Brown are in the middle of a heated campaign in the bell-weather state of Ohio. Governor Strickland is being challenged by former Ohio Congressman John Kasich, who during his time in Congress, voted in favor of legislation to ban adoptions by same-sex couples in the District of Columbia. Many leaders with HRC’s Columbus steering committee participated in this event, but special thanks for his efforts go to Terry Penrod, a member of HRC’s board of directors from Columbus.