Equality Ohio

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Equality Ohio

U.S. State of Ohio
Type 501(c)(3)
Tax ID No. 02-0743268
Founded 2005
Headquarters
Key people Elyzabeth Holford, executive director
Mission We envision an Ohio where everyone feels at home and where equality, diversity and inclusiveness are universally valued.
Website EqualityOhio.org

Equality Ohio is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advocates for full equality for the LGBTQ community. It is the statewide authority advocating for LGBT families with over 30,000 members. It is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.[1][2][3][4] It was founded in 2005 following the passage of Ohio Issue 1, which banned state recognition of same-sex relationships.[1] Equality Ohio's first Executive Director, Lynne Bowman is one of the founders of Equality Ohio and served as its executive director for over 5 years. Sue Doerfer, became Executive Director in December 2009 and announced her resignation in November 2010. She was replaced by Ed Mullen, a former candidate for Illinois State Representative and civil rights lawyer from Chicago.,[5][6] Equality Ohio accepted the resignation of Ed Mullen, effective 29 June 2012. During his tenure Ed brought tremendous vitality and keen legal insights to Equality Ohio, stabilized operations and financial support, and led the development of a nationally recognized strategic plan. Kim Welter then served as the Interim Executive Director, has served as the Director of Programs and Outreach at Equality Ohio and with five years of experience, she is the most seasoned staff member. She joined the organization in 2008 after serving as the Executive Director of Equality Toledo for over 2 years. In November 2012 the organization hired its fourth Executive Director,[7] Elyzabeth Joy Holford.

In addition to other efforts, Equality Ohio has worked for several years toward passing state legislation to prohibit employment or housing discrimination based on sexual orientation.[8]

In early 2011, Equality Ohio embarked on a strategic planning process to guide its work from 2011 to 2014. Equality Ohio solicited input on its strategic plan from its founders and early leaders, LGBT community leaders and members, and allies around the state. On 17 May 2011, the Boards of Equality Ohio and Equality Ohio Education Fund each adopted the strategic plan.

Part of that plan was to develop legislative and public policy strategies on the state and local level to enact the Equal Housing and Employment Act and Safe Schools bills during the 2011-12 or 2013-14 legislative sessions; enact additional local non-discrimination and relationship recognition ordinances throughout Ohio; increase Equality Ohio Campaign Fund's influence in the 2012 and 2014 elections; and, seize favorable opportunities as they emerge and protect against anti-equality legislative or public policy efforts.

The two current legislative priorities are the passage of the Equal Housing and Employment Act (HB335 / SB231) and enumeration of the safe schools legislation which was passed January 2012 (HB208). Equality Ohio will continue to work with LGBT rights organizations throughout Ohio and nationally to achieve those goals. Equality Ohio will also continue its leadership in the formation of the broad statewide coalition pursuing marriage equality for all Ohio families.

The organization is a member of the Equality Federation.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Glassman, Anthony (11 March 2005). "Out of Issue 1, a new statewide group is born". Gay People's Chronicle. Retrieved 2010-11-18. 
  2. ↑ "Equality Ohio hires new chief". Business First. 3 December 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2010. 
  3. ↑ Ted Hart; James M. Greenfield, Sheeraz D. Haji (2007). People to People Fundraising: Social Networking and Web 2.0 for Charities By. John Wiley and Sons. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-470-12077-4. Retrieved 25 November 2010. 
  4. ↑ Aaron Marshall (30 July 2009). "Ohio House bill targets discrimination against gays, transgender people". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 26 November 2010. 
  5. ↑ Crump, Sarah (15 August 2010). "Equality Ohio director loves what city's neighborhoods have to offer: My Cleveland". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 26 November 2010. 
  6. ↑ Anthony Glassman (19 November 2010). "Sue Doerfer resigns Equality Ohio post". Gay People's Chronicle. Retrieved 26 November 2010. 
  7. ↑ "Equality Ohio Hires Its Fourth Director". Yes. On Top Magazine. Retrieved 16 November 2012. 
  8. ↑ Siegel, Jim (15 September 2009). "Gay-rights bill passes Ohio House". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2009-11-09. 
  9. ↑ "Member Organizations". Equality Federation. Retrieved January 14, 2014. 

External links

Member organizations
History
Law
Advocacy
Society
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