September 17, 2018

Dear Members of the Cuyahoga County Council, TownHall guests, friends, and community
members:

My father, Tony George, recently testified before you in opposition to the Cuyahoga County Human
Rights ordinance. I was unaware this was going to happen and was shocked when I found out.

I disagree with my father strongly on this issue and wholeheartedly support the Human Rights
ordinance. My father does not speak for me, nor does he speak for TownHall, Barley House, REBoL, or
any of my other businesses with which he is not affiliated.

Equal access to and opportunities for employment, housing, and public accommodations is a
fundamental right for everyone, regardless of a person's race, color, religion, military status, national
origin, disability, age, ancestry, or gender. And if it is a right for everyone, it must also be a right
regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

No one should be denied opportunities based on who they are or who they love. The fact that this has
not been codified into law and enforced at every level is a shameful relic of bigotry and ignorance and I
wholeheartedly support Cuyahoga County's efforts to correct it—starting with passing the proposed
ordinance.

This ordinance is absolutely the type of issue that Cuyahoga County government should address—
especially when political leaders in Washington, D.C. and Columbus are trying to move us in the wrong
direction on issues of diversity and inclusion. Discrimination is worth fighting at every level, not just
through the state and federal governments.

My father's claim that this ordinance will have a negative effect on economic development is equally
misguided. TownHall is part of the Ohio City neighborhood, where our LGBTQ+ neighbors enrich the
entire community. In my experience, customers run to establishments in communities where diversity is
valued; they don't run away from them. The ordinance will help economic development by showing
people nationally that we have in Cuyahoga County an inclusive and caring community.

The proposed Cuyahoga County Human Rights ordinance is not a political issue. And at its core, it’s not
even an economic-development issue. It's an issue of fundamental human rights and basic human
decency. I applaud County Council for its efforts and urge everyone who cares about fairness, justice,
and Cuyahoga County to join me in supporting this ordinance and the LGBTQ+ community.

I plan to come to the next Council meeting considering the ordinance to testify in support of it. I hope
other business leaders will join me.

Sincerely,

Robert George
Owner
TownHall