The Facts about Golf Manor’s Nondiscrimination Ordinance
Nondiscrimination protections are not a partisan issue—they’re just a commonsense way to ensure fairness for everyone in Golf Manor.
Over 22 states, the District of Columbia, and over 200 cities (including 31 in Ohio) have implemented ordinances similar to this one without issue.
The Council spent over a year listening to and incorporating feedback on the ordinance from the community and legal experts. This process resulted in the final version of the ordinance including 7 religious exemptions.
This ordinance passed 3 Council votes, with a majority of Council members voting in favor each time (4-1 on November 25, 2019, 4-2 on January 13, 2020, and 4-1 on January 27, 2020).
In July 2020, after receiving a petition from community members, the Council voted on whether to eliminate the nondiscrimination protections, or whether to allow voters to decide on keeping Golf Manor fully inclusive. The mayor broke the tied 3-3 vote, which is why we are voting on the ordinance now.
How the Ordinance Protects Religious Freedom
The ordinance includes religion as a protected class equally along with characteristics like race, age, and military status. That means people can’t be discriminated against because of their religion when seeking housing, applying to jobs, or visiting local businesses.
The ordinance has 7 religious exemptions ensuring that religious organizations can continue to exercise their Constitutional rights. In fact, this ordinance has more religious exemptions than many comparable ordinances in other towns in Ohio.
Over 300 religious organizations in Ohio support similar nondiscrimination laws.
“As organizations working in diverse religious traditions throughout Ohio, we affirm the sacred dignity and worth of all human beings – for all are created equal, a reflection of the divine. Our faiths unite us in a moral obligation to treat others with the respect we desire for ourselves.” - Ohio Faith Coalition
In a nutshell, if a religious organization is performing activities associated with the carrying on of that religion, this ordinance does not apply to them, protecting their rights. If a religious organization offers a service or opens an event to the public at large, they would be subject to this nondiscrimination ordinance—just like any other individual or business open to the public.
What would violate the ordinance: A thrift store, run by a religious institution and open to the public, turning away customers because of their race or because they appear to be gay.
What would comply with the ordinance: A religious institution limiting the rental of its sanctuary or social hall to its members for weddings or other events held in accordance with its religious tenets.
A religious school hiring a teacher based on their faith. The hiring of teachers of a particular religion to perform work connected with the carrying on of that at a religious institution is not subject to nondiscrimination laws. A Yes vote on issue 10 would not have any impact on a religious school hiring teachers of their choosing.
Vote YES on Issue 10 to keep this ordinance in place and ensure nondiscrimination protections for all—including people of all faiths.