Issue 3 & the Eleven-Year Fight Over Article 12

The long arc that bends toward justice. Every Pride, this is history we all walk in the shadow of and celebrate.

On November 2, 1993, Cincinnati voters passed Issue 3, commonly called “no special rights,” with 62% of the vote. The measure added Article 12 to the city charter and prevented Cincinnati from protecting gays and lesbians.

The one ad

Stonewall Cincinnati created a single TV ad urging voters to vote no. Michael Chanak was at the large Stonewall meeting at St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church where it was first shown to the community; Betsy Gressler moderated. The ad survives thanks to the late Steve Buescher, who did graphics for the old Gay Cable Network show in Cincinnati and ran the “Rainbow Page” at gaycincinnati.com.

Yes, we lost.

The night after the vote, there was a rally on Fountain Square. Newly elected Mayor Roxanne Qualls spoke, fully understanding the impact the measure would have. Chanak remembers her line: “We are wonderful.”

The chill

Many people believe Issue 3 had a chilling effect on public Pride. From 1996 to 1999, Cincinnati held no formal parade.

Repeal

It took another eleven years for the question to reach the ballot again, thanks to Citizens to Restore Fairness and the late Gary Wright, whom P&G gave a leave of absence from his role as company demographer. This time we won: Article 12 was repealed in November 2004 with 53.75% of the vote, 68,062 “yes” votes.

On March 15, 2006, Cincinnati amended its Human Rights Ordinance to protect LGBTQ individuals in employment and housing.