OhioHealth joins coalition to support diversity and inclusion

Some might be shocked to find out that employers and others can legally discriminate people for who they love. Ohioans who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender can legally be fired from their job just for being who they are. Today, sexual orientation is still not a protected class under state or federal law.

28 states fall short when it comes to inclusive, non-discrimination policies for the LGBTQ community, and Ohio is one of them. However, 19 cities, including Columbus, have passed non-discrimination ordinances, and 80 percent of the state’s top employers hold a corporate policy that protects LGBTQ people from discrimination.

Recently, the state legislature introduced Senate Bill 100 and House Bill 160. The House bill, otherwise known as the Ohio Fairness Act, is set to receive a January hearing. The bill would forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in areas of employment, housing and public accommodations in Ohio, according to The Ohio House of Representatives website.

Many Ohio companies, including OhioHealth, are working to evolve the local laws. The decision to join the coalition was a “no-brainer” for Todd Corley, OhioHealth chief diversity and inclusion officer. OhioHealth carries a long history of being supportive of different groups of people. Current OhioHealth Business Resource Groups (BRG) consist of WE L.E.A.D. BRG (female associates), Veterans BRG, WE D.R.E.A.M. BRG (people of color), Administrative Professionals BRG and PRIDE BRG (LGBTQ).

The PRIDE BRG was founded in 2007 to ensure OhioHealth is the partner of choice and provides a safe environment for the LGBTQ community and allies to work, receive culturally competent care and help achieve best health.

“It makes your business competitive,” Corley told Columbus Dispatch reporter Danae King. “I also think it makes the state of Ohio a place where folks are going to say ‘That’s a place I want to raise my family.’”

To learn more or to contact the PRIDE BRG, email PrideBRG@OhioHealth.com.

To read the full Columbus Dispatch article, please click on the logo below.