Antonio Applauds Governor DeWine's Anti-Discrimination Executive Order

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) applauded newly-elected Governor Mike DeWine on his executive order outlining comprehensive, inclusive anti-discrimination policy for state government employees. “I am delighted by Governor DeWine’s executive order, which adds sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to protected classes and creates a model of workplace policy that respects and protects all of our state employees,” said Antonio. “This is truly the right thing to do.” The executive order also protects parents during and after pregnancy, parents of young children and parents with foster children. DeWine’s executive order cited attracting and maintaining the best public employees and basic human decency as a reason to include these added protections. “Both the protections for the LGBT community and parents are encouraging. This is a family-friendly employment policy,” said Antonio. “I firmly believe that this anti-discrimination policy should serve as a model for all employers in the state of Ohio.” Antonio has repeatedly introduced the Ohio Fairness Act, legislation which would create protections against discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations for Ohioans on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. She plans to reintroduce the bill in the 133rd General Assembly.