Love and Respect For All Ohioans

Long before it was a politically popular position, Sherrod stood with LGBTQ families and couples to fight for full recognition under the law.

He opposed the Defense Of Marriage Act in the 1990s and has consistently fought against legislative efforts to deny LGBTQ Americans the right to marry whomever they love. When the day finally came in 2015, Sherrod rejoiced with millions of Americans as the Supreme Court recognized the rights of LGBTQ couples and families across the nation.

Any American who honorably serves our country in uniform should be treated like a patriot. Since the beginning of his career, Sherrod opposed the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which he helped repeal in 2010. Sherrod has co-sponsored legislation to correct military records and reinstate benefits of servicemembers discharged on the basis on their sexual orientation.

When President Trump pushed to ban transgender individuals from the armed services, Sherrod responded forcefully, saying, “I have deep respect and gratitude for anyone who volunteers to serve in our military. We should not turn away anyone who is willing and able to serve this country and help keep America safe.”

While we have made progress toward equality, it is legal in many states to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Sherrod has led the charge to pass legislation that would expand federal civil rights protections and backed other bills to fight LGBTQ discrimination in housing, the workplace, and around the world.

Sherrod has fought to protect LGBTQ youth because he knows they are especially vulnerable to harassment and discrimination. Not only has he called “conversion therapy” a “fraudulent, unfair, and deceptive” practice, he’s repeatedly moved to outlaw it.

Sherrod has worked to raise awareness of and bring an end to the all-too-common bullying and discrimination that LGBTQ youth face. In 2014, he participated in the National Day of Silence. In 2010 Sherrod joined the “It Gets Better Project” by giving a speech on the Senate floor in memory of LGBTQ teens driven to suicide by bullying, and in 2011 he participated in a video with his colleagues in support of LGBTQ students and youth. Building a more free and equal society begins with helping those who will inherit it, which is why Sherrod has so vigorously advocated for LGBTQ youth.

Regularly meeting with Ohio and national LGBTQ groups allows Sherrod to listen, learn, and discuss important issues, which makes him a more effective advocate for the LGBTQ community in the U.S. Senate. His reelection has been endorsed by Human Rights Campaign.