> Board of Directors

> Executive Director

> Supporting Organizations

> Latest News

> History

> First 90 Days (Adobe PDF)

eNewsletter archives:

- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- April 2006
- March 2006
- February 2006
- January 2006
- December 2005
- November 2005
- October 2005
- September 2005
- August 2005
- July 2005

Learn more about the education initiatives of the
Equality Ohio Education Fund.

Vision:

We envision 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. (Adopted April 23, 2005)

Mission:

To achieve our vision, Equality Ohio will:

• 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.
  

• Equal civil rights and protections are for ALL Ohioans and families;
• Ohio needs a statewide Employment Non-Discrimination Act that includes sexual orientation and gender identity or expression;
• Foster parent and adoption laws shouldn’t exclude loving parents who happen to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender;
• Ohio needs a Safe Schools bill that truly protects ALL children;
• Ohio must have a Hate Crimes Act that protects ALL citizens;
• Ohioans should have the legal right to amend a birth certificate after sex reassignment.

Equality Ohio is a non-partisan organization.

Statement on the Constitutional Amendment

The passage by majority vote of the Constitutional Amendment banning same sex marriage in Ohio was a wake up call for all Ohioans who believe in equality, fairness, and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. It harshly illustrated how unprepared as a statewide community we were in the face of oppression and regressive politics in this state. Most importantly, it highlighted the need for an organization like Equality Ohio to help all Ohioans understand and respect our contributions and our relationships.

The immediate priority for Equality Ohio is to mitigate the damage being done to the lives of Ohioans and their families as long as the Amendment remains a part of our state's Constitution. Ultimately, gaining full civil rights and legal recognition of our relationships and equal legal protections for our families is an important goal for Equality Ohio. That means eventually changing the Constitution so that legal recognition of our relationships is again possible.

The strategy to reach our goal encompasses many venues. The courts, the legislature, the voting booth, the political arena, and individual Ohioans like you will help us make sure all citizens, including LGBT Ohioans, feel at home in our state. As we all know, this will not be an overnight victory. As we celebrate the 85th anniversary of a woman's right to vote, a struggle that took over 70 years, we are reminded that winning the hearts and minds takes time and commitment. With your help, we can begin moving Ohio forward.

About our logo:

Equality Ohio's logo was designed by Mairead Reddy of Reddy or Knot Design, LLC. The design makes the equation "2 = 2" and was chosen by the public in an online vote.