Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Ohio action on gay issues anticipated - Many advocates believe Strickland's on their side BY STEPHEN MAJORS | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLUMBUS - A governor generally viewed as a supporter of the gay community sidestepped a potentially divisive issue going into next year's presidential election.
Gov. Ted Strickland, the first Democrat elected governor in 20 years, signed an executive order in May that bans workplace discrimination in the executive branch based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The order specifically banned state agencies from offering a "rate of compensation" that was different for gay and straight employees. But Strickland interpreted "rate of compensation" as only salary, not benefits, frustrating some in the gay community.
"It looks to me that this is more of a political judgment than it is a principled judgment," said Marc Spindelman, an Ohio State University law professor and gay rights advocate. "It may be that the governor doesn't want to arouse a sleeping giant."
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