HRC: President Obama Endorses Critical Safe Schools Bills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2012

President Obama Endorses Critical Safe Schools Bills

Student Non-Discrimination Act and Safe Schools Improvement Act Needed to Address Anti-LGBT Discrimination and Bullying in Schools

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today applauded President Obama for announcing his support of the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) and the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA).


“The President’s endorsement of the SNDA and SSIA recognizes the importance of providing LGBT students with the same civil rights protections as other students,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese.  “No student should feel scared when walking into their school and these bills would address the discrimination and bullying that our youth have endured for far too long.”


SNDA is sponsored by Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) in the Senate and Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) in the House of Representatives. SNDA would prohibit public elementary and secondary schools from discriminating against any student on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. SSIA is sponsored by Sens. 


Robert Casey (D-PA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) in the Senate and by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) in the House.  The bill would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to require schools and districts receiving federal funds to adopt codes of conduct specifically prohibiting bullying and harassment, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.  This is the first time the President has expressed his support for either piece of legislation.


Discrimination and bullying against students based on sexual orientation and gender identity contributes to high dropout rates, absenteeism, adverse health consequences and academic underachievement. When left unchecked, such discrimination can lead to, and has led to, dangerous situations for young people. Federal statutory and/or constitutional protections expressly address discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex and disability, but do not expressly address sexual orientation or gender identity. As a result, students and parents have limited legal recourse to redress for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.


Despite recent inaccurate criticisms of the bill by Heather Wilson, a Republican running for U.S. Senate in New Mexico, the SNDA does not inhibit constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of speech and expression for individuals and student groups.   Language in SNDA recognizes that nothing in the Act alters the legal standards and rights available to individuals or religious and other student groups under the First Amendment and the Equal Access Act.  SNDA prohibits discrimination, including severe, persistent or pervasive harassment; it does not prevent an individual or organization from expressing disagreement with an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.


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.

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Central Ohio home sales, contracts and prices up in the first quarter

Central Ohio home sales, contracts and

prices up in the first quarter

(Apr. 19, 2012) First quarter home sales in central Ohio were up 7.1 percent versus first quarter 2011 sales (4,045 vs. 3,776). March home sales jumped 36 percent to 1,653 compared to the previous month (1,215) and were up 6.1 percent more than last year (1,558) according to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.

“This upward trend in home sales began last summer,” said Jim Coridan, President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. “Average sale prices are increasing, but at a much more cautious pace.”

Average sales price fell 30.6 percent from its decade high of $192,642 in June 2005 to $133,604 in February 2009. The average sales price of a central Ohio home in March 2012 was $153,557 – 6.5 percent higher than one year ago.

The 3,466 homes listed for sale in March marks a 56.7 percent increase over the previous month, but is still 10.4 percent lower than March of 2011. The median list price of new listings last month was $149,900 – 3.5 percent higher than one year ago.

To read the full report, click here. 

Business First: Kroger looking to expand Chambers Road store

A Columbus Kroger Co.  store near Grandview Heights is slated for a 20,000-square-foot addition if neighbors get on board with the project, Columbus Business First reports.

The Cincinnati-based company is meeting with the 5th by Northwest Commission, which makes zoning recommendations to the city, on May 14. Kroger (NYSE:KR) renovated the store and built a gas station on the 1375 Chambers Road site less than two years ago.

Next year, Giant Eagle is expected to open a 92,000-square-foot store less than a mile from the Kroger location being considered for renovation.

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HRC: More Momentum for LGBT Equality: Marriage Not a Top Concern for Voters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2012

More Momentum for LGBT Equality: Marriage Not a Top Concern for Voters

Washington – New data from the Pew Research Center shows marriage equality ranks last among the top concerns of voters ahead of the 2012 elections. Support for LGBT equality is increasing and issues pertaining to the LGBT community are no longer a “wedge” for voters, representing a remarkable turnaround in the last 8 years. The Pew poll is just the latest piece of evidence pointing to Americans’ broad support for equality. A 2011 Gallup poll found 53 percent of Americans support marriage equality; while a Greenberg Quinlan Rosner poll recently found that an astounding 85 percent of people of faith say their religious beliefs lead them to the conclusion that LGBT people should be treated equally under the law.


“Americans care about job creation and providing for their families. This latest data reinforces the fact that supporting LGBT equality is not a divisive wedge issue, but rather just common sense,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Fair-minded people are increasingly aware that extending rights, benefits, and protections to their LGBT neighbors strengthens the communities they live and work in. To suggest otherwise is a strategy that will fail with voters.”


As a growing number of Americans support equality for LGBT people and oppose discrimination, demonizing LGBT people is becoming increasingly perilous for any politician or organization. Last month, HRC released strategic documents outlining NOM’s plan to drive a wedge between the LGBT community and other minority communities; while NOM Founder Maggie Gallagher often claims being anti-marriage equality is a “winning issue.” But the Pew data – along with data that points to strong Latino and African American support for a wide array of equality issues – soundly repudiates NOM’s strategy and continued false assertions.


“It’s important to remember that so much of what we’re fighting for – marriage equality, workplace protections, fair treatment when our loved ones are hospitalized – contributes to a strengthening of the issues voters care about the most,” added Solmonese.


The Pew poll identified the economy, jobs, and the budget deficit as weighing most heavily on voters’ minds. Other issues of importance include healthcare, education, energy, taxes, terrorism, and the environment.


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.

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Short North Community Forum this Thursday at 7pm

Short North Community Forum When: Thursday, April 19th, 7pm Where: Goodale Park Shelter House (120 W. Goodale St., Columbus, OH 43215) Hosted by: Short North Civic Association, Italian Village Society and Harrison West Society Special Guests: - SNBA/SID will inform us about upcoming construction projects, and provide an overview about plans to help minimize related noise, traffic, and parking issues. - COTA Community Relations Manager will discuss current programs and upcoming projects - Westminster Thurber will offer a presentation about their planned addition. We invite you to take an active civic role by joining us at this neighborhood forum and participating in these important community discussions. RSVP to Facebook Event here - see you there! Root Down: Earth Day Work Day and Celebration This past weekend Friends of Goodale Park organized volunteers, including participants from United Way's PRIDE Gives, Old Navy, Quantam Health Care, Stonewall, ComFest, JP Morgan Chase Pride, Columbus Bar Association to join forces to work on projects throughout the park. A total of 117 active community members showed up (for 277 hours) to put their 'Root Down,' while getting their hands dirty planting, raking, weeding, mulching and other Spring cleanup projects. Join them and the rest of Columbus this Saturday, April 21st, 11am-10pm at Columbus Commons downtown to Celebrate 'Going Green.' Historic Preservation: Best Practices Online Resource The Historic Resources Commission Working Group, est. in 2010, has released an online guide of best practices, follow here. This site is designed to provide web resources to further promote and spread awareness of the advantages of preservation. It will provide property owners a vast amount of information, techniques while promoting only the best pratices. Short North Yard Sale - June 2nd Join us for the largest neighborhood yard sale in Columbus. This daylong treasure hunt takes place across the Short North neighborhoods, including Victorian Village, Harrison West, Italian Village, Dennison Place, and The Circles. Area residents who would like to be included in the official listing can register at yardsale.shortnorthcivic.org. The online listing features an interactive map and details about the various items that will be for sale. Invite and share the online event here with your Columbus friends and neighbors to help spread the word. Become a member of the Short North Civic Association The SNCA welcomes all area homeowners, renters, business owners, and employees to become members. Annual SNCA memberships cost $25 for individuals, $50 per household, and $75 for businesses. They can be purchased by visiting the link below.  JOIN TODAY!

Columbus Dispatch: Goodale Park pond still losing water

Goodale Park pond losing water

By  Mark Ferenchik

The Columbus Dispatch Monday April 16, 2012 11:18 AM

The story is here

It appears the Goodale Park pond is leaking again.

The pond’s water level is down 4 to 6 inches since a contractor finished filling it on Friday afternoon and the fountain was turned on, said Terri Leist, assistant director of the Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks.

The pond had been drained so the Friends of Goodale Park could install a fountain and sculpture of two elephants. Last year, though, the water seeped out after the city filled it.

While no one could detect the source of the leak, the city paid a contractor $144,600 to put down bentonite, a clay that expands when wet, in an attempt to fix the problem.

But that expensive fix apparently hasn’t solved it.

Leist said the fountain itself could be the source, although Carmine Menduni, president of Columbus Art Memorial, which installed the fountain, said it’s not.

He said the area around the fountain was holding the water after the bentonite was put down. The fountain weighs 750,000 pounds, he said.

The company turned on the fountain on Friday to test it for 72 hours.

“Everything is working correctly,” Menduni said. “(But) to have a fountain, you have to have water.”

City officials are to meet with representatives of the Friends of Goodale Park and others to discuss what to do next, Leist said.

Videos and Images of the New Fountain at Goodale Park