Ohio's GOP Governor Takes Action on Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination

Bucking his party's platform, Mike DeWine signs an executive order protecting state workers from anti-LGBTQ discrimination.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

January 14 2019 3:10 PM EST

May 31 2023 7:49 PM EST

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The first day of his job as Ohio's new governor, Republican Mike DeWine signed an executive order banning discrimination against LGBTQ state workers.

Even though it's highly unusual for a Republican politician to take action against anti-LGBTQ bias, DeWine was continuing the tradition of his GOP predecessors, John Kasich and Rick Snyder; both governors signed the same executive order, with DeWine extending it once he took office on Monday.

The executive order is especially imperative for Ohio -- the state is one of 31 that does not have comprehensive work protections for LGBTQ people, meaning employees can legally be fired simply for being queer. While DeWine's order only directly affects Ohio's approximately 51,000 state workers, many see it as a step in the direction of full statewide -- and potentially nationwide -- protections.

"Discrimination against LGBTQ people is a real and urgent problem impacting millions of Americans everyday," Freedom for All Americans CEO Masen Davis said in as statement. "It's clear elected officials from both parties are hearing their constituents loud and clear as they take action to protect LGBTQ Americans from discrimination. As LGBTQ nondiscrimination legislation advances in states like Virginia and New York, we know momentum is on our side to secure full equality for all LGBTQ Americans - and soon."