FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 8, 2006
Contact: Lynne Bowman, Executive Director
614-202-8869

New Leadership Brings Renewed Hope for
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Ohioans and Families

“Justice, opportunity, fairness, and equality are things Ohioans value and they voted their values.” - Lynne Bowman, Executive Director, Equality Ohio.

Columbus, OH – The election results show clearly that Ohioans, and many across the country, are ready for change. According to Equality Ohio, they are also demanding a change in how politics work.

“Voters sent extremists like Rod Parsley, Phil Burress, Russell Johnson, and similar groups across the country a strong message yesterday,” said Lynne Bowman, Executive Director of Equality Ohio. “The citizens of Ohio and America rejected their influence and voted instead for a unifying message of hope and progress.”

In 2004 the group Citizens for Community Values led the campaign to pass a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Televangelist Rod Parsley, Ohio Restoration Project Chair Russell Johnson, and Secretary of State Ken Blackwell all played key roles in that campaign which polarized candidates and divided voters. Similar groups used the same playbook to pass ballot measures that hurt American families in several other states. On the heels of their 2004 successes, extremist groups promised to continue to push their agenda by supporting specific candidates and hate-based ballot measures.

Their promise was not an empty one. During the recent 2006 mid-term election season the evangelical get-out-the-vote machine was in full force. According to one October 28 article in the Washington Post, CCV sent a million voter guides to over seven thousand churches throughout Ohio for distribution in their Sunday bulletins. Cincinnati-based Common Sense Ohio used pre-recorded push polling calls to support anti-equality candidates in Montana, Maryland, and Tennessee.

“Extremist religious leaders made no secret which candidates they wanted to win,” said Bowman.

CCV’s endorsement was featured prominently by State Treasurer candidate Sandra O’Brien and Gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell. Blackwell spoke at events across Ohio organized by the Ohio Restoration Project’s “Patriot Pastors”. Both O’Brien and Blackwell lost to candidates who are strong supporters of equality for LGBT Ohioans. Other pro-equality candidates who won victories today included: Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, State Senator David Goodman and State Representative Ted Celeste, all were endorsed by Equality Ohio Campaign Fund and other pro-LGBT equality groups.

“Leaders and laws that support hate and discrimination weaken our state, shun new business, and drive away our young people,” said Bowman. “An extremist agenda hurts Ohio and Ohio’s voters know that.”

The trend is apparent from coast to coast, in all types of races. Well-known foe of LGBT rights Senator Rick Santorum lost his race handily despite the best efforts of his supporters within the extreme evangelical movement. Janet Napolitano won re-election easily in Arizona; her opponent chairs the ultra-conservative Center for Arizona Policy.

“After the election in 2004 Ohio’s LGBT citizens worried about the safety and security of their families,” said Tom Grote, Chair of Equality Ohio Education Fund. “Today brings a renewed hope that one day they can truly feel at home in their own home state.”

Grote pointed out that in a study conducted by Equality Ohio, Ohio ranks dead last among all 50 states in terms of laws and policies that protect LGBT citizens and families.

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.
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