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Same-sex couples live in every state in the country — and each state has its own organizations working toward gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. To connect with the movement for fairness in your area, contact your state GLBT organizations and elected officials.

Working hand-in-hand with Equality Ohio and Equality Cincinnati, the Human Rights Campaign is advocating for a pro-fairness majority in the state Legislature. In 2006, with anti-equality forces outnumbering pro-equality forces in the statehouse, a bill was introduced that would have prohibited gays from adopting. Bipartisan forces have kept it from a vote. Want to help? E-mail HRC Regional Field Director Sarah Scanlon.

State Overview

Gay and lesbian couples live in 99.3 percent of all counties across America, according to the Human Rights Campaign's analysis of the 2000 Census statistics. Here are the numbers for Ohio.

Increase in households of same-sex partners in Ohio:
Year Men Women Total Increase
1990 1,943 1,834 3,777 -
2000 9,266 9,671 18,937 401%

Households of same-sex partners in Ohio, urban vs. rural:
Year Urban Total Rural Total Percent Urban Percent Rural
1990 3,441 336 91% 9%
2000 16,244 2,288 88% 12%

Please note that HRC estimates that the Census 2000 figures could undercount gay and lesbian families by as much as 62 percent. For more information, see Census 2000.

State Officials

Governors, state legislators, city council members and other elected officials create the laws that govern gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues at the state and local levels. Contact your elected officials and urge them to support fair-minded legislation.

View state officials information

State Elections

It’s crucial that all fair-minded voters stay up-to-speed on upcoming state elections so they can support candidates who support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. Find out about races in your state and learn how you can cast your vote for equality.

View election data