OHIO, SOUTHERN OHIO: Bishops support legislation protecting civil rights of gay and lesbian persons
Episcopal News Service. April 22, 2008 [042208-03]
Five bishops who serve Ohio's two Episcopal dioceses have sent a letter to the state legislature supporting the Equal Housing and Employment Act, bi-partisan legislation that seeks to secure equal access to housing and employment opportunities for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons.
Announcement of the bishops' letter was made yesterday to the people of the Diocese of Southern Ohio in an email bulletin from Bishop Diocesan Thomas E. Breidenthal. Joining him in signing the letter were Mark Hollingsworth, Bishop of Ohio; Kenneth Price, Bishop Suffragan of Southern Ohio; and three assisting bishops of Ohio: David Bowman, William Persell and Arthur Williams.
The full text of the Bishops' letter is as follows:
To: Members of the Ohio State Legislature
Re: Statement of Support for Civil Rights for Gay and Lesbian Persons in Ohio
Legislation currently before the Ohio State Legislature seeks to secure equal access to housing and employment opportunities for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. The Episcopal Church has stated unequivocally that the civil rights of all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, must be upheld and protected. As the bishops of the two Episcopal dioceses in Ohio, we strongly support the enactment of laws that further this goal in our state. We pray that the demands of justice and equity will guide you as you consider this opportunity to extend a small measure of protection and dignity to our brothers and sisters in the GLBT community.
The bill, introduced on March 11 in both the Ohio State Senate and General Assembly, is sponsored by Rep. John Peterson (R-Delaware), Rep. Dan Stewart (D-Columbus) and Senator Dale Miller (D-Cleveland).
Miller had introduced similar legislation in the past, stated a news release from Equality Ohio. He noted that the current legislation has "a record number of co-sponsors, the endorsement of Gov. Ted Strickland and the promise of committee hearings."
The Equality Ohio news release also notes that 21 states, 11 of Ohio's 13 four-year public colleges and 16 Ohio cities and villages have ordinances that protect their gay and lesbian residents.
"Rather than continue to allow a patchwork of protections -- or none at all -- the legislators called for passage of statewide standards that would uniformly help all Ohio residents," stated the release.
"Ohio is among the most unwelcoming states in the nation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people," said Lynne Bowman, executive director of Equality Ohio, on the day the legislation was introduced. "Today, Ohio took a major step toward fairness and equality."
In his statement to the Diocese of Southern Ohio, Breidenthal wrote:
"I am very pleased that the bishops of our two dioceses have been able to speak with one voice on this matter. While there is a wide range of perspective and conviction in our Church and Diocese on issues related to human sexuality, there is and must be consistent advocacy for the civil rights of all people. This is well reflected in Resolution A069 of the 65th General Convention (1976) which states that 'homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church,' and A071, which states that 'homosexual persons are entitled to equal protection of the laws with all other citizens, and calls upon our society to see that such protection is provided in actuality.' In 2003 our own diocesan convention resolved that 'it is the intent of this Diocese that all persons be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation or theological stance (R-2003-03).'"
"We must never flag in our efforts to insist on such equal respect and dignity," said Bishop Breidenthal. "This includes working to protect such basic rights as equal access to housing and employment."