By Monty Siekerman

A gay man active in the Human Rights Campaign and a woman lawyer from the Ohio Attorney General's Office discussed discrimination and implicit bias during a forum at the law college on Tuesday.

Susan Sharkey, senior assistant attorney general of the civil rights section of the Ohio AG Office, told of cases involving discrimination, how the cases were resolved, and what the results of the ceases mean for other disputes going forward. As a side note, her boss, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, received his law degree from ONU.

Michael Smithson, a company president and entrepreneur, talked about the uncertainty of LGBTQ issues under President Donald Trump's Administration.

Since same-sex marriage is now the law of the land, efforts have gone forth on other progressive issues. Bathroom accommodation for transgender people is getting a lot of the press attention.

He states that his commitment is driven by his passion to make a difference in any way he can in the lives of LGBTQ people and allies across the community, state, and country.

Smithson is currently co-chair of the national board of governors of the Human Rights Campaign, He also is involved with other local and national groups and organizations, including Stonewall Columbus and the Banner Project, Equitas Health and Equality Ohio.

The Black Law Students Association and LAMBDA Law Students Association at ONU sponsored the forum.

Caption: Michael Smithson and Susan Sharkey (Monty Siekerman photo)