Sharon Coolidge

scoolidge@enquirer.com

Jim Obergefell is moving a stop on his new book tour out of the Downtown library branch in the wake of the library board's decision this week not to offer transgender insurance benefits to employees.

The Cincinnati resident, one of the lead plaintiffs in last year's Supreme Court decision on marriage equality, has moved the event to Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Norwood at 6 p.m. Saturday to show support for the transgender community and for library employee Rachel Dovel, who requested the insurance policy change.

The library board on Tuesday unanimously voted not to change the policy, saying it was a "business decision."

Obergefell was set to appear at the library on Saturday to promote his book with co-author Debbie Cenziper, "Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality."

“The voters, Mayor and Council of Cincinnati have made it perfectly clear that anti-LGBT discrimination is not welcome in our city," City Councilman Seelbach told The Enquirer. "The library board’s decision to deny their employee the medical services her doctor has deemed necessary is a setback for our city."

Seelbach, who will introduce the co-authors at the event, added: "Jim Obergefell’s decision to move his historic book signing because of their decision is one of the many repercussions the library board will see as a result of their poor decision.”

Enquirer reporter Jason Williams contributed.