Yesterday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Executive Order 2019-05D prohibiting discrimination by any state agency, board or commission. The Order prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin (ancestry), military status (past, present or future), disability, age (40 years or older), status as a parent during pregnancy and immediately after the birth of a child, status as a parent of a young child, status as a foster parent, genetic information, or sexual orientation. Washington Blade reports on the governor’s action, saying in part:
DeWine’s action stands in contrast to the executive order signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who excluded LGBT people in a non-discrimination that included other categories, including race, religion and sex….
The Ohio Republican’s action may come as a surprise to observers who know his history as a President Trump-supported candidate and an Ohio state attorney general who defended the state’s marriage ban in court.