Students rally for equal housing act

Students gathered on the South Oval Wednesday evening at the Equality Rally to support the Equal Housing and Employment Act.

The rally was organized by the Equality Coalition, a collaboration of four student organizations, and was supported by students. The Equality Coalition also drew support from a variety of local community groups that support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights, such as Stonewall Columbus and Equality Ohio.

CAMERON SHARP/THE LANTERN OSU student Meagan Winkelman danced while friends looked on as Shonda Holman, an OSU student and singer of the band News of Your Departure performed on the south oval last night during a GLBT rally put on by the OSU group Equality Coalition. Bands performed and information was available for anyone in attendence. performed on the south oval last night during a GLBT rally put on by the OSU group Equality Coalition. Bands performed and information was available for anyone in attendence.. The EHEA, which will be introduced Monday, would make it illegal to fire or evict someone based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity, said Matt Caffrey, a sophomore in political science and co-founder of the Equality Coalition. The Equality Coalition was formed in late December to unite student organizations, including the College Democrats at Ohio State, comBIne, HRC@OSU and Grad Queers. The coalition wants to build stronger support for issues similar to the EHEA, said Dustin White, co-founder of the Equality Coalition.

At the rally, students listened to speeches by State Rep. Dan Stewart (D-25th District), lawyer Shawn Dingus, activist Jimmie Beall and Clerk of Courts Maryellen O'Shaughnessy. Local bands Ghengis Green, This Is My Suitcase and Karate Coyote, performed. More than 600 students supported the EHEA in preparation for Lobby Day May 13.

Caffrey said a majority of Americans support the act, and Gov. Ted Strickland has promised to sign it. Caffrey expects the bill to pass through the House, but says it might struggle in the Senate.

White said the EHEA has been introduced unsuccessfully in the past.

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Katherine Witzman can be reached at Witzman.2@osu.edu.

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