Category Archives: legal

Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil Announced for Columbus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Gloria McCauley, BRAVO
(614) 294-7867
1-866-86-BRAVO

Shane Morgan, TransOhio
(614) 441-8167
TransOhio@transohio.org

Columbus, Ohio – October 4, 2010 – Local and statewide organizations announce the 12th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is held in November each year to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgender, each was a victim of violence based on bias or prejudice against transgender people.

The list of deaths available at http://www.rememberingourdead.org only contains those deaths known to the transgender community or that have been reported to the media. The Day of Remembrance is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

This year’s vigil will take place on Thursday, November 18, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at King Avenue United Methodist Church, located at 299 King Avenue, Columbus, 43201. King Avenue United Methodist Church is handicap accessible. The vigil will be ASL interpreted.

Remember. Honor. Empower.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is intended to raise public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media does not perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of transgender people who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance gives transgender people and their allies a chance to step forward and stand in vigil, memorializing those who have died by anti-transgender violence.

Community Partners include: TransOhio, Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO), King Avenue United Methodist Church, North Congregational United Church of Christs’ Gender Fold Action Alliance, New Leaf Columbus, Stonewall Columbus, The Ohio State University GLBT Alumni Society, Equality Ohio, HRC-Columbus, Columbus AIDS Task Force, The Ohio State University Multicultual Center.

If your organization or community group would like to become a community partner, please contact TDOR Co-Chair Karen at karenp@transohio.org.

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TransOhio October 2010 Newsletter Now Available!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Dear TransOhio Family, Friends and Allies!

The October 2010 issue of the TransOhio newsletter is now available! You can download the newsletter at: http://www.transohio.org/news/October2010TransOhio.pdf .

There are tons of events & activities happening during the Fall, so, make sure you take a look at the calendar and the other events noted throughout the newsletter!

Upcoming Notables:

  • Monday, October 4, 2010 is the LAST day to register for the Ohio General Election (November 2)
  • Columbus TG Support Group, Wednesday, October 6 at Stonewall Columbus, 7pm
  • Planning Committee Meeting, Columbus Transgender Day of Remembrance, October 6 (contact Karen at karenp@transohio.org for meeting details)
  • Partners’ Discussion Group, Wednesday, October 13
  • Toledo TG Support Group, Sunday, October 24, 3pm
  • Ally Week at The Ohio State University – Columbus
  • And more!

Questions?

Email TransOhio@transohio.org for information.

We need Volunteers! Interested in meeting new people? Can you help us at the Transgender Day of Remembrance? TransOhio Community Thanksgiving? Email us at TransOhio@transohio.org for details!

We’ll see you soon!

Don’t forget to check out www.transohio.org for a full calendar of events, workshops and other fantastic community gatherings!

In Community,
TransOhio Board of Directors
Shane, Melissa, Jacob and Sarah

Transgender & Ally Symposium: A Sampling of Our Workshops!

This year we expect over 250 participants to enjoy more than 70 workshops covering a variety of topics including:

Here’s what you get for your General Symposium Registration:
~ Meet & Greet with Presenters & Symposium Attendees
~ Registration to General Conference
~ Saturday workshops and lunch
~ Saturday performance of PAINT! A Transformative Project by Sile P. Singleton
~ Sunday workshops
~ And more!

Fee: $50 Register Online Now!

Provider’s Day Workshops and Registration, visit Provider’s Day! CLE’s and CEU’s are APPROVED!

Sing If You’re Glad To Be Trans
S. Bear Bergman, Keynote Speaker

While the difficult narratives of trans life are valid and deserve our attention, is it not perhaps enough with the all-misery-all-the-time tranny channel? Being trans is not a reason for pity, scorn, shame, or apology. This lecture celebrates trans bodies, communities, awareness, sex, love, particular talents, successes and self-creation with a faultless logic and good humor that may just make you appreciate transfolks (or being trans) in a whole new way.

Minimizing the Top Ten Fears of Raising a Gender Variant Child
Kim Pearson, TransYouth Family Allies

Are you a parent who wants reassurance that your child will grow up happy and healthy? We will explore the top ten questions that parents have regarding their child’s future.

Topics include: understanding gender expression in small children; how, what, when and if we should tell our family and friends; how do we make sure our child is safe in school and other situations; social transition; medical transition; bolstering self-esteem and romantic relationships.

Seahorse Papas, Bearing Fathers and Birth Dads; navigating pregnancy, conception and birth
j wallace

Bring your hopes, your fears, your questions. This will be a facilitated discussion about what it means to be a man who wants to give birth and how to go about manifesting that. Expect social, emotional, practical and medical issues to be discussed, experiences shared and suggestions offered.
We’ll talk about language, clothing, navigating medical service providers and what it’s actually like to be a pregnant dude.

Please note: we will /not/ be debating whether you can be a pregnant man, whether it’s good for the community, or debating the validity of pregnancy as a choice for transmen. This workshop is intended for transmasculine people who are considering pregnancy/are pregnant/been pregnant, and our friends and allies.

Race, Gender, and Sexuality
New Leaf Columbus

A round table conversation exploring the intersection of race, gender identity, and sexuality. Participants will share and discuss the multiple ways race and culture inform gender identity/ expression, and seek to understand challenges surrounding sexual orientation/preference. Specific topics will include (but are not limited to): language, coming out, gender roles, and cultural socialization.

Gay and FTM: How to Relax and Meet the People You are Attracted To
Dale Bogucki and Miles Newman, La Fraternitie du Loup-Garou

Hate going out because you are not sure you will even be able to talk to someone? Freaking out even though you pass you are “sure” you won’t in a mostly male space? Think you will never be able to disclose? Think that when you do disclose the entire bar will know? Learn that you are not alone, you are not the first, and the community is more receptive than you think. We have been there and we will tell you all about the best ways to disclose, good ways to disclose, and when not to disclose. Also, learn about cruising, specific body language, and how to know if someone is cruising you.

Intersex 101: Similarities & Differences Between Intersex and Trans People
Vickie Boisseau

This workshop will explore the social, legal, and medical issues faced by many Intersex people, as well as the similarities, and differences between Intersex and Trans people.

Trans Women Now
Cara Sande Greenberg

Trans women come in all shapes and sizes and transition is never a straight line. We will be holding a panel discussion on the lives and needs of trans women. Topics will include transphobia, appearance and presentation, safe spaces, health services, and trans women’s relationship to the broader T and the LGB communities.

Partners’ Experience: Limited Disclosure and Stealth
Ariel Baumwell, Co-Facilitator, TransOhio Partners’ Discussion Group

A discussion session on the experiences of partners and relationships where one or more partner prefers not to disclosure their trans status or does so in a very limited capacity. Topics include: Finding medical care, activism and community with limited disclosure, damage control when forcibly outed, stigmas and stereotypes, children and limited disclosure. Other topics related to limited disclosure are also welcome. This discussion session is open to all.

CSW, Office of Continuing Education is a provider with the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage & Family Therapist Board. Provider Number: RSXX-038706 (Social Worker) and RCX-100503 (Counselor).

CLE’s are being sponsored by the LGBT Committee of the Columbus Bar Association.
Registration is now open and Social Service and Legal providers and professionals are being encouraged to register early as seating is limited and filling up fast.

Our Sponsors: The Ohio State University Multicultural Center; OSU’s Scarlet & Gay; OSU College of Social Work; The LGBT Committee of the Columbus Bar Association; Outlook; Stonewall Columbus; The Ohio Democratic Party LGBT Caucus; Apropos Promo; Irony Personal Training, LLC; United Way of Central Ohio; Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio; Out for Work; The LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland; The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force; Case Western Reserve University GLBT Office; Equality Ohio; PBJ Connections; Delaware Christian Gay-Straight Alliance; Heart-Centered Healing; Evolved.

Provider’s Day: 3rd Annual TransOhio Transgender & Ally Symposium

Dear TransOhio Friends, Family and Allies!

Our 3rd Annual TransOhio Transgender & Ally Symposium is quickly approaching! We’re gearing up for 3 jam-packed days of workshops, seminars, networking, community building and special events!

This year is our first year we’re hosting a Provider’s Day. We’ve partnered with The OSU College of Social Work to be able to offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and with the LGBT Committee of the Columbus Bar Association to offer Continuing Legal Education (CLEs) credits as well. We’re pretty excited about that, and the workshops and presenters are FANTASTIC!

Here’s information specifically about Provider’s Day, which is primarily focused on providing continuing education to medical, legal and social service professionals who are currently working with transgender identified individuals, or who wish to open their practice to them.

Registration is now open and Social Service and Legal providers and professionals are being encouraged to register early as seating is limited and filling up fast. To register and view a full list of presenters and workshops, visit http://transohio2010.wordpress.com.

Planning to attend the General Symposium?
We hope so, because, well, how often do so many of the top surgeons, community activists, allies and educators gather in Central Ohio at the same time, for the same opportunities? That means, YOU get to meet-n-greet with (several) surgeons (you don’t have to go visit them out of state for a consultation!), have the opportunity to get access to OVER 70 workshops, food, friends, and entertainment all on the same weekend? Check out http://transohio2010.wordpress.com for a full list of presenters and workshops and events for the 3rd Annual TransOhio Transgender & Ally Symposium weekend (August 13-15, 2010)!

Provider’s Day will be held on Friday, August 13, 2010, 8am-5pm and is hosted by the OSU Longaberger Alumni House which is located at 2200 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43210-1035 on the campus of The Ohio State University.

The General Symposium (Saturday and Sunday) will be hosted on site by the Ohio State University Multicultural Center at the Ohio Union. Registration is now open and Social Service and Legal providers and professionals are being encouraged to register early as seating is limited and filling up fast. To register and view a full list of presenters and workshops, visit http://transohio2010.wordpress.com.

Provider’s Day classes include:

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: The Benefits for All Family Structures (CEU pending)
Holly Jedlicka, PBJ Connections, Inc.
This workshop gives participants an overview of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and how it benefits all types of family structures.  The focus is on how EAP provides a non-judgmental service to all types of families, using traditional social work theories in a barn setting. Participants learn how clients benefit from experiential family therapy with horses, how to identify family treatment objectives, and how to look for effective outcomes. Horses provide non-judgmental feedback for families in an exciting setting outside of the office, creating a safe and ideal place for families who are struggling with behavioral issues, mental health issues, or community-based issues.

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Transgender Employment Protections (CEU & CLE pending)
Tara McKenzie Allison, Esq., TransOhio Board of Directors
This presentation will provide a broad overview of federal, state and local statutory and case law providing protections against discrimination (based on gender identity and gender stereotyping) in the workplace. (1.5 hours)

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Facial Feminization (CEU pending)
Dr. Jeff Spiegel, Chief of the Division of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Boston Medical Center
Dr. Spiegel will review the goals and methods of facial feminization surgery.  Post-operative photos will be shown. There will be a discussion of what procedures are available, how to maximize results, risks, and how new technologies and advances have allowed for improving structural changes to bone.

The discussion includes differences in the facial anatomy of males and females, theories in gender recognition and feminization, the key changes in transforming a male face to a female face and the surgical techniques used during surgery.  Full forehead reconstruction with bossing to the orbital rim, mandible shaving and sliding genioplasty, rhinoplasty, cheek augmentation, upper lip reconstruction, browlift and scalp advancement are most commonly performed during these feminization procedures.  Trachea shave, blepharoplasty and rhytidectomy are also regular procedures performed during the feminization surgery.  Post-operative photos will be reviewed during the discussion.

Dr. Spiegel’s “less is more” approach to surgery allows patients to achieve their goals while still looking as natural as possible.  (1 hour)

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Introduction to Transgender Surgery (CEU pending)
Dr. Sherman Leis, Director and Chief Surgeon, The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery
Dr. Leis will present an overview of the indications for transgender surgery, the prerequisites recommended prior to the performance of major surgical procedures, and several pre and post operative examples of the major procedures utilized in transgender surgery, both MTF and FTM.  (1 hour)

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Facial Feminization/Body Contouring: Artistic Subtlety (CEU pending)
Dr. Joel B. Beck, MD
Dr. Beck discusses Facial Feminization and Body Contouring. This is an opportunity for those who attend to explore their options in feminizing their face and body. Dr. Beck will explain the subtle changes he can achieve while retaining the beautiful qualities his patients already possess. He discusses the importance of collaboration on an individual level with each client. This helps to ensure an individual look, faster healing, and overall pleasing outcome.  (1 hour)

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Intersex 101 (CEU pending)
Elder A. Vickie Boisseau, Intersex Activist & Educator
This workshop will explore the social, legal, and medical issues faced by many intersex people, as well as the similarities and differences between intersex and transgender people. As time permits, we will talk about the top 3 medical conditions, as well as general knowledge on what to do with your intersex client.  (1 hour)

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Transgender: Basics & Beyond for Social Workers (CEU pending)
Jake Nash, TransOhio Board of Directors, Educator
The objective of this presentation is to have participants understand the occurrence, the distinctions, the disparities, the medical and mental health concerns, and dispel myths regarding transgender individuals.  Jake has delivered this presentation to social workers throughout the state of Ohio over the past 6 years.  (3 hours)

Section 1: The importance of Language
Participants will understand the distinctions of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as the terms that fall under the transgender umbrella.

Section 2:  The disparities of the Transgender community
Participants will learn of the Harry Benjamin Standards of Care and Social Work implications in working with transgender individuals. Discussion of suicide, addiction, depression, homelessness, risk factors and lack of competent care will prepare participants to improve service delivery and outreach to the transgender community.

Section 3:  The importance of understanding legal and hate crimes issues
Participants will learn of the disparities the transgender community experiences regarding employment, legal documentation and hate crimes.

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LGBT Latin@s Victims of Interpersonal Violence (CEU pending)
José  Juan “J.J.” Lara Jr., MS, MA, Director of Advocacy and Training, Texas Advocacy Project, Inc.
In a culture celebrated for its rich traditions, close-knit families, and strong faith, being Latino and lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is often unmentionable and often met with violence.
This workshop will focus on the stigmas associated with being Latino and LGBT and how negative stereotypes embraced by the Latino community regarding sexual orientation increases the likelihood for LGBT Latinos to be victims of inter-personal violence within their own families.

Participants will learn about homophobia as culturally expressed within the Latin@ community, the types of inter-personal violent crimes LGBT Latin@s are vulnerable to and barriers accessing hetero-centric social services and criminal justice systems. While LGBT Latin@s and their heterosexual counterparts share many of the same issues, LGBT Latin@s encounter additional barriers. LGBT Latin@s often face antigay or gender discrimination on two levels: racism and homophobia/heterosexism. Thus, categorizing LGBT Latin@s as a “twice-hidden” community renders them “invisible” limiting access to mainstream providers and vitally important services.  (1.5 hours)

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Utilizing Existing Federal Law to Protect Your Gender Variant/Transgender Youth in School (CEU pending)
Kim Pearson, Executive Director, TransYouth Family Allies
Currently, federal laws regulating schools and school districts are either ambivalent regarding the school experiences of gender variant youth or appear to condone the discrimination and harassment those youth face on a daily basis. However, in reality, those laws can be used to provide the very protections and supports gender variant youth need to be able to learn in a safe and supportive school environment.

This workshop will explore the mechanics of using those laws to advocate for gender variant youth who are experiencing difficulty and distress in school due to their gender expression.  Through hypothetical scenarios that mirror the common experiences of gender variant youth, this workshop will provide parents with the basic legal knowledge and tools to invoke federal law protections to improve the school experiences of their children.  (1 hour)

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Allies Supporting ‘T’ Youth & Their Families (CEU pending)
Kim Pearson, Executive Director, TransYouth Family Allies
This program is designed for those organizations and individuals who want to be more inclusive and supportive of gender variant and transgender children and their families. While many organizations have made a connection with the adult transgender community they are still struggling to understand how to support children and youth who come out as transgender or who are facing challenges because they are gender non-conforming.

This course is designed as a Youth/Children Gender 101 presentation that will educate you on the basic facts, myths and terminology. TYFA will also provide practical information and resources that will enable you to be more helpful and supportive to trans and gender variant youth and the families and friends who love them.  (1 hour)

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The Top 10 Lessons in What NOT to Do When Counseling Gender Variant Clients (CEU pending)
Brooke Kroto, LISW
This presentation is geared for mental health providers who are new to treating transgendered, transsexual and gender variant clients. Based on my own serendipitous journey, I will share some wisdom learned, many of which resulted from my own lack of experience and faux pas enacted along the way.

Participants will learn important fundamentals for helping those experiencing gender confusion, transgendered identity, and transitioning related issues.  (1 hour)

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Crime Victims Rights in Ohio (CLE pending)
Mel Fuhrmann, The Justice League of Ohio
This class will describe the rights that crime victims have in Ohio under the crime victims rights statute and the Ohio constitution.  We’ll discuss the services available to the LGBT residents of Ohio, including Bravo and the Justice League of Ohio.  We will also touch on the crime victim compensation program through the Attorney General’s office.  (1 hour)

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Health Reform for the Transgendered Community (CLE pending)
Travis Jackson, Columbus Bar Association LGBT Committee
The presentation would explore the impact of recently passed health reform laws on the transgendered community, with a particular emphasis on access to care. It would also examine recent announcements from the IRS regarding the tax treatment of SRS.  (1 hour)

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Successful Significant Other Partnering in Transgender Relationships (CEU pending)
Michael C. Owens, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, WPATH certified therapist & Amber Alaniz-Owens
This workshop will addresses the challenges, concerns, and positive solutions of being in a successful relationship of commitment and partnership with a trangender dynamic.
This workshop will cover common challenges, solutions, attitude is everything, disclosure, and the attributes of healthy couple dynamics. Room for questions and answers. Interactive workshop.  (1 hour)

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Services Outside the Box: Helping Your Clients Navigate Sex-Segregated Services (CEU pending)
Michael Munson, FORGE
In an ideal world, every client would have access to ANY medical and mental health service they need. Unfortunately, many services are sex-segregated, which provides additional barriers to clients (and providers).

This didactic and interactive workshop will examine how to creatively advocate for and with your clients around services such as sexual/domestic violence support groups and housing, OB/GYN/urology appointments, forms and policy management, referrals and networking. Providers will leave new solutions to old problems — benefiting their clients and their field.  This workshop is focused on providers and how they can better serve trans/SOFFA individuals.  (2 hours)

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THInC- Trans Hormones, Informed Consent (CEU pending)
Lisa Katona, Howard Brown Health Center
Introducing THInC, Howard Brown Health Center’s program to empower and support trans clients who wish to access hormones. THInC is a comprehensive 3-step program designed to assist clients in accessing hormones in an efficient, supportive and validating manner.

This presentation will offer information about what informed consent means, and why Howard Brown made the decision to make access to hormones as barrier-free as possible, and how clients can access this program.  (1 hour)


CSW, Office of Continuing Education is a provider with the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage & Family Therapist Board. Provider Number: RSXX-038706 (Social Worker) and RCX-100503 (Counselor).

Our Sponsors:
The Ohio State University Multicultural Center; OSU’s Scarlet & Gay; OSU College of Social Work; The LGBT Committee of the Columbus Bar Association; Outlook; Stonewall Columbus; The Ohio Democratic Party LGBT Caucus; Apropos Promo; Irony Personal Training, LLC; United Way of Central Ohio; Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio; Out for Work; The LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland; The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force; Case Western Reserve University GLBT Office; Equality Ohio; PBJ Connections; Delaware Christian Gay-Straight Alliance; Heart-Centered Healing; Evolved.

Equal Housing and Employment Bill (HB 176) stalls in Ohio Senate

Examiner.com, USA

Equal Housing and Employment Bill (HB 176) stalls in Ohio Senate

June 28, 8:35 AM – Cincinnati Liberal Issues Examiner – Timothy Gabelman

On September 15, 2009, with a vote of 56 to 39, Ohio’s House of Representatives passed the Equal Housing and Employment Bill (HB 176). The historic vote marks the first time in Ohio that a vote on the floor of the Ohio General Assembly has occurred on legislation protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

This bill would prohibit discriminatory practices on the basis of actual or perceived “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” and empower the Ohio Civil Rights Commission to enforce anti-discrimination measure against the LGBT community in employment and housing.

At present, only twelve states and the District of Columbia protect individuals in their workplaces from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, while an additional nine states protect individuals on the basis of sexual orientation alone.

At this juncture, only 42% of the states protect their most valuable economic commodity – their workers – from discrimination against a quality that in no way impacts their ability to perform their job.

Yet, as of February 2009, 423 (85%) of the Fortune 500 companies ban discrimination based on orientation and 176 (35%) ban discrimination based on orientation and identity. Some of the leading employers that support fairness in the workplace and have stated support for federal legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity include: Bank of America Corp., Best Buy Co., Cisco Systems, Clear Channel Communications, Coca-Cola Co., Dell Inc., General Mills Inc., J.P. Morgan Chase and Co., Microsoft Corp.,
MillerCoors Brewing Co., Nationwide (headquartered in Columbus, OH), NCR Corp., and Time Warner, Inc.

It is unfathomable that corporate America would extend greater benefits than the law allows unless it recognized that qualified individuals should not be discriminated against based on characteristics unrelated to their job.

In a 2006 poll, 66% of Ohio registered voters believe that laws should be passed banning discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on both sexual orientation and gender identity or
expression (2006 Glengariff Poll of Ohio voters commissioned by Equality Ohio Education Fund).

The Ohio House of Representatives stood for equality in Ohio’s employment practices and housing accommodations, and fought for the due process of law to ensure that equal protection would be a hallmark
of Ohio’s Civil Rights Commission; Ohio’s governor, Ted Strickland, has promised to sign this legislation into law.

However, when the bill was brought to Ohio’s Senate, it was not assigned to a committee or to a floor vote.

Senate President Bill Harris (R-OH19) has, through an aide, expressed some doubts about the bill and subsequently has refused to allow it to see the light of day from the Ohio Senate or to even allow dialogue in
committee to reconcile the issues that he may have with it.

If you would like Ohio to join with the 21 other states of this nation in protecting the rights of workers, especially in a time of economic uncertainty, you can contact your state senator (a list of which can the found to the right of this article) and urge them to contact the President of the Senate or write Senate Harris directly at:

Senator Bill Harris
President of the Senate
Statehouse
1 Capitol Square, 2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

You can also call his office at (614) 466-8086 or email him at SD19@senate.state.oh.us.

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