If that wasn’t bad enough, now there's text for a new bill to ban adoptions by gays and lesbians. The gay and lesbian parents I know are already talking of moving out of state if that bill gets introduced. Is that what you want, Ohio?

It's just painfully obvious that because of the increasing political clout of socially-conservative, religious groups throughout the state, Ohio is being redefined as a place that welcomes only citizens who are straight, ultra-religious and vote Republican (and not for moderate Republicans. What mass grave are all of the moderate Republicans buried in now?)

If you don't believe me about who's behind all of these anti-gay measures, go to the Web site: www.ohiorestorationproject.com

Here's a quote from the site: "Today's America allows abortion of unwanted pregnancies, increasingly accepts homosexuality, rejects the teaching of intelligent creation in our schools, and many other issues that are in opposition to biblical truth. We are on a path of destruction, and nothing is going to change if Christian citizens deny their responsibilities."

Throughout American history, lines of Scripture have been used to validate discrimination of African-Americans, women, Jews, and now, gays and lesbians. Back then a lot of dumb laws were passed by politicians, who, like our current batch down in Columbus, half-believe the words and half-pander to keep their power and jobs safe. After a few decades, Americans usually woke up and reversed those laws. Funny, for all of the power that they posses, most religious institutions and governments are always the last two to be dragged, kicking and screaming, into the next century. 215 companies on the Fortune 500 list have LGBT-friendly policies but does Ohio?

Thankfully, there are some churches, like the United Church of Christ, that do reach out and show respect to all Americans, including lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people, but they continuously struggle to be heard above the din of the ultra-conservative churches and their political supporters in this state.

Also, thankfully, there are politicians, like openly gay Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), who have continued to fight for equality for all Americans regardless. Frank, who will be speaking at the Cleveland City Club on August 12, recently introduced the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act which would extend benefits to federal employees and their long-time partners.

Look, I know some voters out there don't want gays anywhere near their neighborhoods. The funny thing is that we're already so imbedded into this state's daily life many of you don’t even realize it. We live next door. We work in the next cubicle. We work in the school systems, go to the same churches, and shop at Home Depot. We're truckers, law-enforcement personnel, city council members; we're in the military at all ranks.

Yet, thanks to Hollywood, the entire gay community has been stereotyped as characters from "Will & Grace" and "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy." To be honest, what you see on television is more or less the gay version of Amos 'N Andy.

The Right claims that there is a secret Gay Agenda and, if there is, I would imagine that it's probably no different from the Women's Agenda in the 1910s and 1970s, or the African-American Agenda during the 1950s and 1960s. Really, look at what horrible things those agendas did to this nation of ours. Just deplorable, right?

Gays and lesbians have no desire to make sure that a pride flag is flying over every truck stop or forcing school children to take a field trip to a local gay bar.

We just want to be able to live and work here in Ohio without getting hassled, beaten, fired or chased away. Just because we’re gay.

But this one is up to you, Ohio. Do you want Ohio gay-free? That’s the message you keep sending to Columbus every election.

What do you want, Ohio?