HRC Blog

With Labor Day weekend upon us, we are reminded that everyone should have the opportunity to get and keep a job and provide for their families – one of the most fundamental American values – regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.  In Ohio, HRC and the team on the Americans For Workplace Opportunity campaign are working to make that a reality.  This fall, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act will come to the floor of the Senate, and we want to have Ohio’s Senator Rob Portman on the right side of history with his vote.  That’s why we’re working across the state to lift up people’s voices on why employment protections matter. 

Nearly 80 percent of Ohioans back workplace protections for LGBT people.  Most believe it is already a law!  This means our team has our work cut out for us over the next few months.  And we won’t be successful working alone.  That’s why we are so proud of our partnership with Equality Ohio in this effort.  Their dedication of resources and focus to the ENDA field work moves our campaign ahead immeasurably in our efforts.  We’re also thankful that the Ohio Federation of Teachers is loaning us office space for the campaign team to work out of. OFT’s national affiliate, the American Federation of Teachers, actually sits on the steering committee of the national campaign effort.  And other organizations and businesses are stepping up to get involved in the work on a daily basis.

Now what about you? Do you have the ability to give a little bit of your time this fall to make a significant difference in the lives of people across the nation?  Every hour of volunteer time is a crucial component to our success.  You can become involved as deeply as you wish – from collecting personal letters from your friends, emailing the senator or making a phone call to his office, to becoming a volunteer leader for our weekly phone banks and canvasses.

Come find out what the opportunities are at one of our upcoming community meetings across the state! I hope to see you there.

Central:

King Avenue UMC

299 King Avenue, Columbus

Tuesday, 9/3

6:00 – 9:00pm

Northeast:

Cleveland LGBT Center

6600 Detroit Ave. Cleveland

Saturday, 9/7

10:00 am – 1:00pm

West:

Harmony Creek Church

5280 Bigger Road, Kettering

Sunday, 9/8

2:00pm - 5:00pm

Northwest:

Wood County District Public Library

251 North Main Street, Bowling Green

Tuesday, 9/10

5:30pm – 8:00pm

Southwest:

Truth and Destiny Church

4663 Kirby Ave, Cincinnati

Thursday, 9/12

7:00pm – 8:30pm

Southeast:

Donkey Coffee

17 W Washington St, Athens

Thursday, 9/19

5:30pm – 8:30pm