Ohio governor
bans bias against gay, transgender workers

In red-state Ohio, gay and transgender state workers will now be legally protected from workplace discrimination.

Democratic governor Ted Strickland signed an executive order on Thursday that bans discrimination against state government employees because of their orientation. The order also protects those who consider themselves the opposite gender. In signing the protections, the governor is actually restoring provisions for state workers that existed for 15 years but were struck down by Gov. Bob Taft in 2000.

The governor's order does not need approval by the general assembly but will expire when Strickland leaves office. The governor's spokesman said the order was the fairest way to ensure that "employment decisions are based on performance and not perception." (The Advocate)