Governor Strickland intends to add "significant other" to the administrative definition of immediate family
Excellent news from Governor Strickland! Governor Strickland intends to add "significant other" to the administrative definition of immediate family. This will allow state employees the right to use paid time off such as bereavement and family leave for their "immediate family" which includes their "significant other" (definition below). There was a public hearing this morning, at 8:30am, and then the rule will go to Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review in June. PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 119.03, notice is hereby given that the Department of Administrative Services intends to conduct a public hearing for the purpose of amending Ohio Administrative Code Section 123:1-47-01. The proposed to be amended rule deals with the following subject matter: 123:1-47-01 Definition of Terms: To include the phrase "significant other" within the definition of the term "immediate family" and to describe what the phrase covers and to extend the definition of "probationary period" used for certain unclassified employees for purposes of step increases to also be applicable to vacation usage. The Department of Administrative Services shall hold a public hearing on the proposed rule amendment on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. in Room 2793, on the 27th floor of the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower located at 30 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio. At this hearing, any person affected by the rule may appear and be heard in person, by the person's attorney, or both, may present the person's position, arguments, or contentions orally or in writing, offer and examine witnesses, and present evidence that tends to show that the rule, if adopted or effectuated, will be unreasonable or unlawful. (A) For purposes of Chapters 123:1-1 to 123:1-47 of the Administrative Code: (39) "Immediate family" - Means an employee's spouse or significant other ("significant other" as used in this definition means one who stands in place of a spouse and who resides with the employee), parents, children, grandparents, siblings, grandchildren, brother- in-law, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, step-parents, step-children, step-siblings, or a legal guardian or other person who stands in the place of a parent (in loco parentis). A special thanks to Equality Ohio and Sue Doerfer for the tip.Welcome to Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio!
Welcome and thank you for visiting the official web site of the Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio. 2010 promises to be a busy but exciting year. We have two LGBT candidates running for local offices in Central Ohio. John Sowers is running for a House seat in the 25th District and Terry Brown is running for Franklin County Auditor. Stonewall Dems plans to do all we can to get both of these candidates elected to public office. And, as always, Stonewall Dems plans to support the state-wide candidates who support us.
2010 monthly meetings will include a wide variety of speakers. In addition, each month presents us with a new way to give back to the community-- in March, Bowling for Equality through HRC and in July, the Central Ohio AIDS walk. These are but a few of the activities in which Stonewall Dems plans to take part.
The month of May will be an important one for Stonewall Dems, as we host our annual wine tasting event in the Short North. I encourage each and every one of you to "Get on the Blue Train" in 2010.
Of course, the highlight of the year for the LGBT community is the 2-day Pride Festival at Goodale Park. Look for Stonewall Dems to take part in the Pride parade, host a booth at the festival, and also host a new kick-off event, details of which will be forthcoming.
Let us get behind our Democratic brothers and sisters in this all-important election year. Let us continue to serve the candidates who serve us. As always, I welcome suggestions and feedback from Stonewall Dems members. Feel free to e-mail me at fmellissia@hotmail.com. Sincerely,
Mel Fuhrmann
President, Stonewall Dems of Central Ohio
2010
Are you a member of Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio? Now is the time to join or to renew if you've let your membership lapse. Joining is simple and easy, just go to our contribution page. There are various membership options:
Sustaining Member: $100.00
Couples Membership: $60.00
General Membership: $35.00
Student or Hardship Membership: $20.00
Please consider joining or renewing today! We are only as strong as our membership.
_______________________________________________
Need a new HOODIE or Ball Cap for the WINTER? Check our our new online store at clicking here! SDCO Logo T-Shirts, Polo Shirts, Tanks, Buttons, Mugs and more are available! Check us out! All proceeds go to Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio
Recent News Items
April 14, 2010
Stonewall commends President Obama's memo on hospital visitation rights Press Release - April 14th, 2010
MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Mitchell
Executive Director
202-625-1382
mmitchell@stonewalldemocrats.org
National Stonewall Democrats commended President Obama for issuing a memorandum that instructs his Department of Health and Human Services to issue regulations that would require hospitals that receive Medicare or Medicaid funding to allow same-sex couples visitation rights. The memorandum further required hospitals to allow patients to designate their medical power of attorney.
Said Michael Mitchell, Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats:
"When President Obama accepted the Democratic nomination in Denver in 2008, he said that while not everyone may agree on same-sex marriage, 'surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital.'" With his memorandum, the President took a bold step toward righting the injustice that too many lesbian and gay couples feel in their most vulnerable moments -- when someone is injured or ill.
"We are proud of the President's actions, and look forward to seeing it implemented as soon as possible."
