09/15/2009 – JAC Stringer

The Ohio Advocates for Comprehensive Sex Education on Capital Hill lobbying for the REAL Act. (Also pictured Advocates for Youth Campus Organizers for University of Cincinnati and Bowling Green State University)

This weekend The Ohio Advocates attended the annual Advocates for Youth Urban Retreat in Washington D.C. Its my second year with the Advocates and it was awesome to spend time with the Ohio folks and re-connect with people I met last year. The youth are always so articulate and empowered, it is an energizing experience!

Ohio CAMI team dancing as Nobles Darby (front) freestyles about the awesomeness of Ohio Advocates.

I choreographed a couple routines for the advocates to do, which were ridiculous, of course. As to be expected we blew everyone out of the water with our fabulous dance stylings. Plus we had matching purple shirts. Duh, we’re the best state. We’re coming….

Find out more about the Ohio Advocates.

Today, with a vote of 56 to 39, the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 176, the Equal Housing and Employment Act that includes sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The Bill protects all queer folks, not just the A-gays, which is clearly a big deal. Its the 1st time a vote protecting queer folks has come to the Ohio General Assembly in the history of the state.

The bill is on its way to the Senate, and I’m anxious about the progress. When lobbying for the bill this past summer, I was unsure it would even get this far. Some reps I spoke with were optimistic about the bill, referencing their gay cousins and the fight for equality. Other reps couldn’t understand why the bill was needed, or event what it was for…

All we can do is wait. I’ll keep you posted.

x-posted AmplifyYourVoice.com

Day: September 15, 2009

Ohio Youth Rock D.C.

Ohio Passes Equal Housing & Employment Act