WASHINGTON, DC, November 6, 2014 — The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund is elevating its calls for statewide nondiscrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Ohio following a recent hate crime. On Monday, six men physically assaulted transgender community activist Candice Rose Milligan after shouting homophobic and transphobic slurs in downtown Toledo, Ohio.

“We are outraged with the continued anti-transgender violence taking place across the country. The recent brutal attack against a transgender community activist underscores the need for strong nondiscrimination laws to prevent violent anti-LGBTQ hate crimes,” said Rev. Darlene Nipper, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund Deputy Executive Director. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Candice, her friends and family. We hope for a quick and healthy recovery. We will continue to monitor the situation in Toledo as we call on the local authorities to use every tool in their power to bring justice to Candice and the transgender community.”

Currently, the state of Ohio does not have explicit protections in the workplace, housing, public accommodations and services for LGBTQ people. The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund is on the ground providing organizing support in Ohio as part of a coalition of state, local, and national organizations working for transgender-inclusive statewide nondiscrimination protections.

Additionally, in Cleveland the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund has been working to build broad public support around the need for local council members to update the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance and eliminate loopholes to discrimination in current laws.

Anyone with information about the recent Toledo hate crime is encouraged to call the Toledo Police Department’s detective bureau at: 419-245-3142.

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CONTACT:
Jorge Amaro
Media and Public Relations Director
213-842-7564
jamaro@thetaskforce.org


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