Assault
Continues on Ohio’s Gay and Lesbian Families
Equality Ohio stands with Miami University Alumni
and Employees
Columbus, OH - The stability of at least thirty Ohio families was attacked
yesterday in a lawsuit filed against Miami University in Butler County
Common Pleas Court because of the domestic partner benefits the school
offers to employees.
”t a time when health care is an issue for so many Ohioans, taking
away existing coverage from these families simply because they are gay
is mean spirited and unnecessary,” said Lynne Bowman, Executive
Director of Equality Ohio, Ohio’s statewide political organization
which envisions an Ohio where everyone feels at home, regardless of sexual
orientation or gender identity.
Since June of 2004, Miami University has offered health and dental insurance
to the same-sex partners of its employees. Representative Tom Brinkman
of Cincinnati, who filed the lawsuit against Miami University, has asked
the court to rule the health coverage unconstitutional. Brinkman is represented
by Cincinnati attorney David Langdon and the ultra-conservative Alliance
Defense Fund of Arizona.
“This lawsuit is simply the latest tactic in a campaign to attack
gay Ohioans and their families,” said Jeannette Birkhoff, Board
President of Equality Ohio. “For people like Brinkman, the marriage
amendment opened the door to wage war against law-abiding Ohio citizens.
For that reason and many more, we must repeal this hurtful amendment as
soon as possible.”
Jeffrey Logel, co-president of the Miami gay alumni organization 1809
LGBT Alumni, said his group’s position is clear. “We strongly
support Miami University and its position in this outrageous lawsuit,”
said Logel. “If Miami University is forced to adopt an unfair and
non-competitive policy with regards to the benefits it offers its employees,
we fear that the education offered future Miami students will suffer.”
“These thirty Miami University employees are not just numbers,”
said Bowman. “These are real people, with real needs. In Ohio’s
declining economy, it is not as easy as Representative Brinkman suggests
for people to just ‘go get a job that gives them benefits’.
As an elected official he should know this and his remark shows a decided
lack of compassion for those he is sworn to represent.”
On December 2, the Equality Ohio Education Fund will use the first anniversary
of the ban on marriage equality to highlight the stories of lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender people and allies. The organization has collected
more than 100 stories reflecting the real experiences of Ohioans affected
by the marriage ban. The stories will be delivered to all of Ohio’s
legislators and made available for public viewing at www.equalityohio.org
on December 1, 2005.
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