Ohio House Passes Non-discrimination Bill

A bill to protect LGBT people from discrimination in employment and housing passed the Ohio state house on Tuesday, although its prospects in the senate appear far from certain.

Five Republicans joined all Democrats to pass the bill by a vote of 53-39, reports the Columbus Dispatch.

The long-stalled bill finally moved toward a vote after Democrats captured the Ohio house last November. However, the bill is expected to face an uphill battle in the senate, where Republicans retain control.

"The bill could hit a wall in the GOP-controlled senate," according to the Columbus Dispatch, "where President Bill M. Harris, R-Ashland, has said repeatedly that although it will get a hearing, he doesn't see a need for the legislation."