COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio Republicans have declined for years to take up legislation protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Ohioans from employment and housing discrimination.

Rep. Nickie Antonio hopes this time is different.

The Lakewood Democrat, Ohio's first openly gay legislator, on Thursday reintroduced a bill banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing or public accommodations.

"This idea of fair and inclusion is not new -- it's not new to our country and it's not new to Ohio," Antonio said at a Thursday news conference.

Antonio is encouraged that the General Assembly didn't pass any anti-LGBT bills last session and paused action on the Ohio Pastor Protection Act, which opponents said would codify discrimination.

Antonio said that's a sign Republicans are willing to talk about the issue.

At least one does. Gov. John Kasich said Thursday he wants to learn more about the legislation.

Kasich says

Kasich, approached by reporters outside the Statehouse, said he doesn't want anyone to be subject to discrimination. But he said he Isn't sure it's a problem in Ohio.

"I don't want anybody to be discriminated against because they happen to be gay. I don't favor discrimination in any way," Kasich said. "I haven't heard much about this but if it's happening we have to deal with it," Kasich said.

Antonio responds

LGBT advocates said Thursday they hear often from Ohioans who have faced discrimination in the workplace.

Antonio said it's hard to quantify LGBT discrimination because individuals can't currently file complaints with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. In states that have enacted similar laws, Antonio said, the number of complaints is small and the greater impact is on businesses that decide to locate or expand there.

"While of course any act of discrimination is problematic and everyone should have the right to due process, this bill is needed to send a signal to businesses and individuals and their families that Ohio is a place where you are welcomed and protected," Antonio said in an interview.

Most Ohioans think it's already illegal to fire or deny housing to someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, according to a 2013 Public Religion Research Institute poll. Nearly 70 percent of Ohio voters, including majorities in both political parties and every major religious group, support workplace nondiscrimination laws for gay and lesbian people.

Chances of passage

Antonio's bill has no Republican co-sponsors, a sign it faces an uphill battle at the GOP-controlled Statehouse.

House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger has said religious freedom, as has been proposed in the Pastor Protection Act, and nondiscrimination are not mutually exclusive and concerns about both could be addressed in the same legislation.

An attempt to appease both sides failed to gain traction last year. Antonio said her bill keeps existing protections for clergy and religious organizations. For example, a religious school could still fire a teacher for violating its philosophy or moral code.

Sixteen Ohio cities have anti-discrimination ordinances on the books. Bob Evans, MetroHealth and dozens of other Ohio companies in the "Ohio Competes" coalition support a state anti-discrimination law.

"Every time we introduce the bill the world around us changes just a little bit more," Antonio said.