COLUMBUS — Religious leaders want to renew an anti-discrimination bill on the Ohio statehouse agenda, a bill they said would protect gays and others at work and at home.
 
John Selders is a bishop with the United Church of Christ in Hartford Connecticut.
     
He spoke at the Statehouse about the effort that led to support gay marriage in his home state.

"You are in the heartland," said Selders. "Most folks in Connecticut are fair minded and believe people deserve the same rights."

Some religious leaders joined with the group Equality Ohio about a bill they said would additionally protect gays, lesbians and others from being discriminated in the workplace or with public accommodation.

Democtrat House member Dan Stewart admits it may be an uphill battle for this legislation considering Ohio voted against gay marriage.
 
"This is not about marriage, it is about discrimination," said Stewart.  

The Senate Republican leader, Senator Bill Harris, said the idea will get a hearing.

"We already passed a law that says marriage is between a man and woman. But people will always bring up new issues," said Harris.
      
A national day of protest on the California gay marriage ban is scheduled for this weekend, one group plans to gather in Ohio's capital city at City Hall on Saturday.

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