For members of Why Marriage Matters Ohio, the American dream includes being able to marry the person one
loves, regardless of gender.
Bowling Green residents and small business owners gathered in front of Bowling Green Hats and Apparel on
South Main Street Thursday for a press conference recognizing those who support marriage equality in the
region.
More than 220 small business owners in Ohio and 30 in Northwest Ohio have pledged their support of the
organization and its cause, said Michael Premo, campaign manager.
“Small business owners hold the community together and give Ohio its character,” Premo said. “They are
leaders in the community helping to pave the way to marriage equality in Ohio,” Premo said.
Bowling Green city councilman Daniel Gordon spoke at the event as well as Shandee Wylie, owner of Wylie
Bytes Technology Solutions in Toledo.
“To me, it makes sense. If we don’t respect our customers and treat them fairly, we lose them,” she said.
“The same goes for our residents and people looking for work in Ohio.”
The top strategy employed by Why Marriage Matters Ohio is to start conversations with people to get them
thinking about the issue, Premo said.
“The more people talk about it, the more people think about it and get used to the idea,” he said. “It’s
no longer a question of ‘if’ but ‘when’ everyone in Ohio will be able to marry who they love. These
small business leaders will be able to take pride in being on the right side of history.”
Katie Stygles, a PhD student at Bowling Green State University, brought her four children to the event
because the cause is important to her and her family, she said.
“I’d love to see marriage equality pass either through the courts or on the ballot. It’s really important
to me that my kids to know they can be and should be who they are,” Stygles said. “Whoever they choose
to be with in the future, hopefully it won’t even be an issue.”