COLUMBUS — This week the Ohio House of Representatives passed Ohio House Bill 176, the Equal Housing and Employment Act, which is described as prohibiting discrimination in housing and employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The vote in the House was 56-38 with all Democratic members voting in favor of it along with five, House Republicans. The bill now moves into the Ohio Senate where it is said by some supporters to have an uphill battle, including reported resistance from Senate President Bill Harris (R-Ashland).

In a statement released yesterday, Gov. Ted Strickland said: “I applaud the leadership of House Speaker Armond Budish, Rep. Dan Stewart and Rep. Ross McGregor, as well as the bipartisan group of House members who today affirmed that Ohio is a welcoming and inclusive state. This legislation will help attract and retain the talent Ohio businesses need to foster lasting economic growth and prosperity. I am hopeful that I will have the opportunity to sign this bill into law. This is an important step forward for Ohio, as nondiscrimination in employment and housing will ensure that all of our people are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Locally, Rep. Debbie Phillips (D-Athens), who represents Meigs County, voted for the bill, while Rep. Clyde Evans (R-Rio Grande), who represents Gallia County, voted against it.

Yesterday, Evans said he voted against the bill for two reasons, one of which was he felt the bill has “potential to cause lawsuits against businesses trying to provide jobs for families.” Evans stated he tries to look at everything that will interfere with the development and preservation of jobs.

As for the second reason he voted against the bill, Evans added: “I believe I voted for the position of the majority of my constituents in the district I represent.”

Yesterday, Phillips said she voted for the bill because she felt it was about “basic fair treatment,” calling it “very straight forward” and a bill that “upholds core American values of fair play and a level playing field.”

Phillips said she received phone calls from constituents on both sides of the issue and looked “very carefully” over the legislation’s language, adding this bill does not create any kind of special rights for people. Phillips said of the Fortune 500, 433 of those companies have similar polices against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and she felt this bill would help the state be more economically competitive.

“You should be evaluated in your job performance based on the work you do,” Phillips explained. “This (bill) is just about fair play and we’re in a very difficult economic time. I don’t think anyone deserves to be fired or kicked out of their house just because of who they are.”