State Sen. Michael Rulli is sponsoring a bill to prohibit the discrimination of LGBTQ Ohioans.

Known as the Ohio Fairness Act, the bill calls for the end of discriminatory practices based on sexual orientation and gender at work, housing, education, credit and other areas.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a June 15 decision that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 doesn’t permit employers to discriminate against people based on sexual orientation and gender in workplaces with at least 15 employees.

The bill being proposed in Ohio would expand on that.

“I look forward to building an Ohio where everyone can thrive and feel welcome,” said Rulli, R-Salem, whose district includes all of Mahoning and Columbiana counties.

“Since I have been in office, I have striven to make Ohio a place where our kids can build meaningful and fulfilling lives. They don’t need to move to another state. They can feel at home right here.”

Rulli added: “This legislation can help all people feel accepted in our great state and I am proud to be a part of it.”

Ohio “has to be all inclusive to all people,” he said.

Rulli’s co-sponsor in the Senate is Nickie J. Antonio, D-Lakewood, the Legislature’s only openly gay member.

The two sponsored the same legislation in the previous session, but no vote was held in the House or the Senate.

It had been proposed several times before that with Antonio sponsoring similar legislation in every General Assembly in which she’s served since 2011.

“Every person deserves these fundamental protections in order to fully participate in our society free from fear, harassment and discrimination,” Antonio said. “It is time for the state of Ohio to act to ensure that the basic civil rights of all Ohioans are being protected.”

A companion bill in the House is being sponsored by state Reps. Brett Hillyer, R-Uhrichsville, and Michael Skindell, D-Lakewood.

Supporting the bill are the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Equality Ohio and the American Civil Liberties Union.

dskolnick@tribtoday.com