Equality Express 2012 To Make Stop in Cincinnati

Equality Express 2012 To Make Stop in Cincinnati

For immediate release:
June 28, 2012

Columbus – The Equality Express 2012, a project of Equality Ohio, will visit Cincinnati from June 28th to June 30th. The Equality Express is a statewide bus tour visiting more than 10 cities in an effort to change hearts and minds, register voters, and participate in community service projects. Equality Ohio works to make Ohio a place where everyone feels at home, and our legislative agenda currently includes bills to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity and to prevent bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Cincinnati is the southernmost city the tour will visit. Being so close to other states like Kentucky provides the crew with a unique regional experience. In May of this year, the city passed an ordinance allowing for domestic partner benefits for city employees, a key priority for Equality Ohio. The Equality Express hopes to build on this work and continue to change hearts and minds.

“This is an opportunity for Equality Ohio to spread the message of equality and educate people on the importance of issues like anti-bullying and making our schools safer and bring all communities closer together." says Community Organizer and Tour Captain Lee Reinhart.

The Equality Express crew will be canvassing and registering voters throughout the city and volunteering at Cincinnati Pride. In addition to registering voters, the Equality Express crew is circulating petitions for Voters First Ohio to get redistricting reform on the ballot for 2012. Redistricting reform is important to passing pro-equality legislation because it makes more districts competitive in the general election. More competitive districts could mean that more legislators will move toward the political center, which overwhelmingly supports non-discrimination and safe schools legislation for the LGBT community. Additionally, crew members will be volunteering with Caracole, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide safe, affordable housing and supportive services for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. The tour through Cincinnati will conclude with another volunteer project with the United Way and an Interfaith Pride Worship Service

“I am honored and extremely excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the Equality Express tour as a member of its inaugural crew,” says crew member Mike Liggett of the University of Dayton. “As a proud member of the LGBT community and lifelong Ohioan, I am thrilled to travel across our wonderful state and spread the message of equality.”

The following are Equality Express crew members with a connection to Southwestern Ohio:

Mike Liggett of the University of Dayton

Equality Ohio advocates and educates to achieve fair treatment and equal opportunity for all Ohioans regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

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