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Business Groups Want Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation Made Protected Classes In State Law

A coalition of Ohio businesses is calling on lawmakers to approve a bill adding sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes in discrimination laws.  

Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow reports. 

The coalition Ohio Business Competes wants additional anti-discrimination laws for LGBTQ people, including a bill now in the House. Holly Gross with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce told Columbus Metropolitan Club this law is especially important to attracting more millennials to the state.

Gross: “Now, more than ever before, this generation, they care about the policies that employers have in place they are making decisions as to where they work based on those policies as well.”

 

The Center for Community Values opposes the bill fearing that it could infringe on personal religious beliefs.

 

The bill hasn’t had a hearing since January.

 

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