Council Members Joe Cimperman, Ward 13; Matt Zone, Ward 17; and Joe Santiago, Ward 14, along with their colleagues, are introducing two resolutions at tonight’s Council Meeting to support Lesbian Gay Transgender and Bisexual (LGTB) rights.

     One resolution endorses Ohio House Bill 502/Ohio Senate Bill 305 to amend the Ohio Revised Code to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

     “This is a simple human rights issue,” said Councilman Cimperman.  “As Council Members, we represent a diverse community and each member of that community deserves equal rights under the law.”

     The other resolution recognizes Cleveland’s commitment to honor the 10th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance in addition to recognizing those that are actively involved in working hard toward transgender equality.  The Transgender Day of Remembrance was specifically set aside to memorialize those killed due to anti-transgender prejudice and was first held in 1998 in honor of Rita Hester, who was murdered on November 28, 1998.  The murder is yet to be solved.  

     “Celebrating this event allows for public mourning and honoring of those who lost their lives due to prejudice and increases public awareness of hate crimes against transgender individuals,” said Councilman Zone.

     Cleveland City Council is also working on legislation to create a domestic partnership registry that would serve to document committed relationships in the City of Cleveland.  Under the legislation, a domestic partnership would constitute a union where both individuals share a common residence; both affirm that they have an intimate relationship and share responsibility for each other’s common welfare; neither is married to or in an existing domestic partnership with a third party; both are 18 years or older and are not related to each other by blood.  Should the legislation pass, people that fit the criteria would be able to register their Relationship with the City of Cleveland. Public and private institutions would be able to voluntarily accept the domestic partnership registration as proof of a union between two individuals, therefore alleviating these institutions of the administrative burden of proof.  The registration could then allow, on a voluntary basis, for access to benefits such as health insurance, hospital visitation rights, family recreational memberships and authorization to pick chhildren up from school.

     In August, Councilman Santiago, along with his colleagues, introduced legislation to prohibit discrimination in Cleveland based on gender identity.  The piece is currently in administrative review.

     “Transgender individuals, like any other protected group, deserve a guarantee of equal rights,” said Councilman Santiago.  “These individuals, just like the rest of us, should be able to live with dignity, respect and the expectation of basic human rights.”