Equality Ohio
LGBTQ nonprofit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Equality Ohio is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) equality in Ohio.[2] The organization is a member of the Equality Federation.[3]
| |
| Founded | 1 March 2005 |
|---|---|
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization |
| Focus | LGBTQ+ rights |
| Headquarters | Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Dwayne Steward | |
Deputy Director | vacant |
| Revenue | US$1,801,949[1] (2024) |
| Expenses | US$2,388,972[1] (2024) |
| Employees | 10 (2026) |
| Website | equalityohio |
Since its founding, Equality Ohio has concurrently operated under two separate nonprofit tax identification numbers – one for Equality Ohio and another for the Equality Ohio Education Fund.[1] The latter of these retains most of the funding for the organization.[1]
History
Equality Ohio was founded in 2005 following the passage of Ohio Issue 1, which banned state recognition of same-sex relationships.[4][5]
Leadership transitions
In its twenty-year history, Equality Ohio has had several executive directors, though it has never been led by a transgender person. The organization's first executive director, Lynne Bowman, was one of its founders, and she served as its executive director for over 5 years. Following this, Sue Doerfer became executive director in December 2009, but she announced her resignation in late 2010.[6] Doerfer was replaced by Ed Mullen, who was a former candidate for Illinois State Representative and civil rights lawyer from Chicago,[7][8] and Mullen served in this role for nearly two years. In 2012, the organization hired its fourth executive director, Elyzabeth Joy Holford,[9] and Holford left the role to return to California in 2015.[10] Following this, Alana Jochum was named the executive director in 2015.[10] The longest serving leader at the organization, Jochum left in late 2023; the following year, the organization hired its first black executive director, Dwayne Steward.[11]
Legislative priorities
In the early 2010s, Equality Ohio focused on advancing state legislation to prohibit employment discrimination or housing discrimination based on sexual orientation.[12] During this period, the organization was also focused on the Equal Housing and Employment Act (HB 335/SB 231) and enumeration of the safe schools legislation, which was passed in January 2012. Following this, Equality Ohio focused on marriage equality.[citation needed]
Given opposition in the state legislature, Equality Ohio endorsed the Citizens Not Politicians campaign for the 2024 Issue 1 ballot initiative against gerrymandering.[13]
Labor union
In fall 2022, the organization announced that its employees had elected to form a labor union. The leadership of the organization agreed to voluntarily recognize the labor union, Equality Ohio Workers United.[14] In late 2025, the organization laid off most of its staff, including several union members.[citation needed]
