Gender Identity

Gender diversity has existed throughout history and all over the world. As one of the most fundamental aspects of a person’s identity, gender deeply influences every part of one’s life. Where this crucial aspect of self is narrowly defined and rigidly enforced, individuals who exist outside of its norms face innumerable challenges. Even those who vary only slightly from norms can become targets of disapproval, discrimination, and even violence.

This does not have to be the case. Through a thoughtful consideration of the uniqueness and validity of every person’s experience of self, we can develop greater acceptance for all. Not only will this create greater inclusion for individuals who challenge the norms of gender, it will create space for all individuals to more fully explore and express who they are.

All individuals want and need to be correctly identified. It is important that we as a community all use and model the use of correct gender and gender pronouns. Our goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment in which all can pursue their artistic goals.

To help us achieve this, we ask all members of the Acting Classes to pay attention to each student's, faculty member's, or staff person's gender and pronoun use. It is important not to simply rely on one's perceptions and assumptions but to be proactive in asking a person about their gender and/or pronouns. We ask that students, faculty, and staff respect everyone's right to self-determination in our community by making every effort to use the correct pronouns.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

IS THE LAW

The Ohio Civil Rights Act protects applicants and employees of private employers, state, county and local governments, educational institutions, labor organizations, employment agencies and personnel placement services from unlawful discriminatory employment practices.

Race and Color

Ohio law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race or color in hiring, promotion, tenure, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, terms, conditions and privileges of employment, or any other matter directly or indirectly related to employment.

In addition, any facially neutral employment policy or practice that results in a discriminatory impact on the basis of race or color is a prohibited form of discrimination unless such policy or practice is job-related and based upon business necessity.

National Origin and Ancestry

Ohio law prohibits discrimination on the basis of national origin or ancestry in hiring, promotion, tenure, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, terms, conditions and privileges of employment, or any other matter directly or indirectly related to employment.

In addition, any policy or practice limiting or prohibiting the use of any language in the workplace is a prohibited form of discrimination unless such limitation or prohibition is job- related and based upon business necessity.

Sex, Including Pregnancy, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity

Ohio law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex or pregnancy in hiring, promotion, tenure, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, terms, conditions and privileges of employment, or any other matter directly or indirectly related to employment.

Women affected by pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition must be afforded leave for a reasonable period of time and may not be discharged under a policy providing insufficient or no leave.

The U.S. Supreme Court, in the case of Bostock v. Clayton Cty., Georgia. U.S. 140 S. Ct. 1731 (2020), as well as other federal court cases, have extended sex discrimination to include prohibition of employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Religion

Ohio law prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion in hiring, promotion, tenure, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, terms, conditions and privileges of employment, or any other matter directly or indirectly related to employment.

In addition, applicants and employees must be provided with a reasonable accommodation for religious beliefs and practices, except when the accommodation imposes an undue hardship.

Military Status

Ohio law prohibits discrimination on the basis of military status in hiring, promotion, tenure, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, terms, conditions and privileges of employment, or any other matter directly or indirectly related to employment.

In addition, employees who leave employment to perform military service, which includes the performance of duty, on a voluntary or involuntary basis, in a uniformed service, under competent authority, must be reemployed upon conclusion of such service.

Disability

Ohio law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in hiring, promotion, tenure, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, terms, conditions and privileges of employment, or any other matter directly or indirectly related to employment.

In addition, applicants and employees must be provided with a reasonable accommodation for their disabilities, except when the accommodation imposes an undue hardship.

AGE

Ohio law prohibits discrimination against persons 40 years of age or older on the basis of age in hiring, promotion, tenure, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, terms, conditions and privileges of employment, or any other matter directly or indirectly related to employment.

Harassment

Ohio law prohibits harassment in the workplace on any basis set forth herein, which includes the creation of a racially or sexually hostile work environment, verbally or physically abusive treatment, and requiring submission to sexual advances as a condition of employment, continued employment or promotion.

In addition, all reasonable steps should be taken to prevent and promptly correct harassment in the workplace, which includes the establishment of a policy against harassment and a procedure for receiving, investigating and remedying complaints of workplace harassment.

Retaliation

Ohio law prohibits retaliation against any person because that person has opposed any unlawful discriminatory practice, or because that person has made a charge, testified, assisted or participated in any manner in any investigation, proceeding or hearing.

ENFORCEMENT

The Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) investigates complaints of discrimination and harassment in employment.

Complaints must be filed with the OCRC within two years of the last act of discrimination or harassment.

For more information or assistance in filing a complaint, please call toll free:

1-888-278-7101, TTY (614) 752-2391

or visit our website at: www.crc.ohio.gov