FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 1, 2005
Contact: Lynne Bowman, Executive Director
614-202-8869

“Banniversary” Commemorated
Equality Ohio marks the one year anniversary of Ohio’s anti-gay marriage amendment with launch of Stories Project

Columbus, OH – Would the 62% of Ohioans who voted in the 2004 election still have supported the constitutional ban on marriage equality if they’d known the stories of the lives of their fellow citizens? Equality Ohio doesn’t think so.

Today, in recognition of the one-year anniversary of the day the marriage ban went into effect, the organization officially launched an ambitious new effort to tell the stories of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Ohioans and their family, friends and relatives. The “Our State, Our Lives, Our Home Stories Project” is a collection of true stories, told in the first-person, about what it is like to live in (or leave) Ohio given the current climate.

“What we have seen in this year’s collection of stories is a common theme of patriotism and a genuine love for the Buckeye State,” said Executive Director Lynne Bowman. “There are expressions of sadness and anger over last year’s vote, but there are just as many stories of hope that Ohio will be a more welcoming place in the future.”

More than 100 stories were collected online between November 15th and the 21st through the Equality Ohio Web site. This afternoon, members of the organization hand-delivered copies in book format to every state legislator’s office, as well as to Governor Taft, Secretary of State Blackwell, Attorney General Petro, State Treasurer Jennette Bradley and State Auditor Montgomery.

“I submitted my story for this project because I believe it is critical that Ohioans understand how their vote last year impacts my family,” said Kristie Conley of Licking County. “My partner of eight years and I have two sons that we love very much. Everyday we are faced with the inequities of living as a committed lesbian couple in this state. It’s time that our legislators and fellow citizens heard the real stories of our lives.”

The “Our State, Our Lives, Our Home Stories Project” will be an annual campaign of the organization until the point that the ban on marriage equality is no longer in the constitution. Individuals interested in viewing this year’s book, or submitting their own story should visit the organization’s website at www.equalityohio.org.

Equality Ohio envisions an Ohio where everyone feels at home, living in families and communities where equality, diversity and inclusiveness are universally valued; and where government protects all people and responds to their needs, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

Read the stories here (Adobe PDF 980K)

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