First openly gay Ohioan to run for Congress says Pride has different meaning this year

NBC4 News, 6/17/18

“Showing their support, they’re showing their openness, that is the Columbus way,” Neal said. “Everybody coming together, supporting each other. I felt that a lot this year. I thought it was fantastic.”

Neal said the community support was very visible to him during this year’s Pride parade.

“I’m always very proud to be able to get out there and to feel that support. Come on, it makes me feel awesome,” he said.

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Biden builds Ohio campaign staff with familiar, new faces

The Columbus Dispatch, 8/17/20

A pair of familiar figures to Columbus Democrats have been named to Joe Biden’s Ohio campaign team.

Rick Neal, who made a respectable bid to knock off GOP Congressman Steve Stivers in 2018, was named deputy coalitions director.

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Gay rights sparks debate in 15th

The Columbus Dispatch, 10/30/18

“I am sorry, this makes me a little mad,” Neal said. “Steve, that was a misrepresentation just about everything you said, alright?”

Neal said legislative score cards from the Human Rights Campaign, a national advocacy organization for the LGBT community, has given Stivers a zero rating since he arrived in Congress in 2011.

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