Hey, Clevelanders: Let's Talk about LGBTQ+ Equality & Protection in Cuyahoga County

Photo from LGBTQCleveland, which has lots of great info on this issue.

Hi. In the state of Ohio, you can legally be fired from a job, denied housing, or refused service in a public business because of your sexual orientation or gender identity. And the battle to pass legislation that would change this is getting a little messy. 

This is infuriating. This is not the Cleveland I know or love or stand for or defend - but I know that complaining isn't enough, & posting on social media isn't enough, either.

So if you, like me, are a Cuyahoga County resident who believes in liberty & justice FOR ALL, PLEASE take the time to write to the members of the Cuyahoga County Council urging them to pass. The bill is sponsored by councilmen Brady, Simon, Houser, & Miller - but you can write to all of 'em.

• Learn: From the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, learn more about the proposed ordinance to protect LGBTQ+ folks., then find some more info here from Cleveland.com (a.k.a. The Plain Dealer).
    
• Research: Find contact info for members of the Cuyahoga County Council's here. If you'd like to specifically address your own councilman, you can identify him or her on this site from the Board of Elections.
    
• Write: In a Twitter thread, local policy expert Emily Lundgard has provided some helpful language you may wish to use as you craft your letter to council.
     
• Boycott: Want to go a step further? Identify local business owners who oppose this legislation, & put your money where your values are by no longer patronizing their businesses. 

Got questions? Get at me, or check with Equality Ohio or ACLU of Ohio.

Nobody's free until everybody's free.

So stand up. Speak up. Fight for what's right. And help make our city the great place we claim it to be.