FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 16, 2006
Contact: Lynne Bowman, Executive Director
614-202-8869

Equality Ohio Praises Cincinnati Pro-Equality Organizations; Encourages Thorough Investigation of Fraud

"Citizens to Restore Fairness and Equality Cincinnati have tirelessly defended the clear directive of Cincinnati citizens. In 2004 a majority of voters repealed Article 12 and earlier this year the Cincinnati City Council voted to end discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. We commend these pro-equality organizations whose hard work will help create a more welcoming Cincinnati."

-Lynne Bowman, Executive Director, Equality Ohio

Columbus, OH - Equality Ohio today praised the monumental efforts of pro-equality groups in Cincinnati for their tenacity in defending the will of voters to end discrimination against LGBT people in their city. The group also believes a thorough investigation into the extent of irregularities and possible illegalities in the signature gathering process is warranted.

On Tuesday, August 15th, Equal Rights Not Special Rights
(ERNSR), chaired by anti-equality champion Phil Burress,
withdrew the signatures it had gathered to place a referendum on the November ballot that would have revoked a law passed by city council earlier this year. This withdrawal came in the face of clear evidence of fraud, invalid signatures, and myriad irregularities.

"The unfair and potentially illegal tactics used by those bent
on discrimination against hard-working Ohioans is not
acceptable," said Bowman. "The tide has begun to turn toward an Ohio where everyone can feel at home."

"Over and over we have seen that people who would deny basic human rights to LGBT Ohioans will stop at nothing to achieve their goals," said Bo Shuff, Director of Education and Public Policy for Equality Ohio. "They are unapologetic in abusing one of the most basic of American freedoms, that of fair and clean elections," added Shuff. "We encourage the Hamilton County Board of Elections and Secretary of State Blackwell to further investigate how wide-spread the fraud was and who knew about it. We thank CRF for catching Equal Rights Not Special Rights in the act of unethical, immoral, and possibly illegal behavior."

The mission of Equality Ohio is to serve as an advocate and
champion for fair treatment and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens; facilitate a greater understanding of our common humanity through education and outreach efforts; engage and empower individuals, families, organizations, businesses and institutions in Ohio's urban, suburban, and rural areas; and collaborate with local, regional, statewide, and national organizations and government agencies.
###