Ohio

In 2004, as discriminatory constitutional amendments were pushed in numerous states throughout the nation, Ohio citizens voted for an anti-marriage and anti-relationship recognition constitutional amendment which passed and wrote discrimination into Ohio's constitution. State advocacy groups are working to both repeal such discrimination and end the exclusion of same-sex couples and their families from marriage.

WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE:

Equality Ohio
Equality Ohio envisions an Ohio where everyone feels at home; living in families and communities where equality, diversity and inclusiveness are universally valued; and where government protects all people and responds to their needs, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

ACLU-Ohio: LGBT Rights
The ACLU deploys all of its legal, educational and legislative resources to fight for full legal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, whether in employment, schools, marriage, or parenting.

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LEGISLATIVE STATUS IN OHIO:

Your Community—Ohio
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
HRC presents resources, news, and the current marriage and relationship recognition laws in each state.

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PUBLICATIONS:

Ohio Census Snapshot
Williams Institute
January 2008
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Ohio.

Geographic Trends Among Same-Sex Couples in the U.S. Census and the American Community Survey
Williams Institute
November 2007
Gary Gates at the Williams Institute released groundbreaking research on the geographic trends among same-sex couples. The report finds the biggest increases in Southern and Mountain states and states barring legal acceptance of same-sex couples had larger percentage increases in same-sex couples from 2000 to 2006.

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NEWS:

OPINION: Secrets of conservatives
The Lantern
September 17, 2007
With popular culture swinging the way of tolerance, as it should be, the right wing — more specifically the Christian right — saw it was going to be fighting an uphill battle to prevent gays from getting married. So what did they do? They changed what the issue was about and turned the tables completely. Suddenly, they weren't discriminating or persecuting anyone. They were "defending" the "sanctity" of marriage. Think about it. It's diabolically ingenious. Everyone always roots for the underdog.

Marriage developments in NM, OH
The Bay Area Reporter
August 2, 2007
There were two significant developments in the marriage arena last week: in one, gay couples in yet another state have the option of getting married; in another, a state's ban on gay and lesbian couples' marriages has been stopped from destroying laws meant to help end domestic violence but it may have made the possibility of civil unions more difficult.

Top court must decide if unwed couples can be treated as spouses in domestic-violence cases
Middletown Journal
October 15, 2006
Two years ago, Democratic and Republican leaders urged Ohio voters to reject a discriminatory constitutional amendment. This year in December, the OH Supreme Court will hear State v. Carswell, a case that argues the state's 27-year-old domestic-violence law conflicts with the new marriage ban.

PRESS RELEASE: Anti-gay group attacks domestic violence law in court
People for the American Way
August 29, 2006
An ultraconservative group arguea that Ohio's domestic violence law—which covers all couples, married or not—can't be applied to unmarried heterosexual couples because of the state's new constitutional provision prohibiting the recognition of the marriages of same-sex couples and prohibiting the recognition of "a legal status" for any unmarried couples "that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage."

It's all about relationships
Gay Peoples' Chronicle
May 26, 2006
"Republicans, Democrats, LGBT friends and foes alike told the citizen lobbyists that the most important thing to do to influence lawmakers is to develop relationships, and communicate often."

Phone company uses anti-gay messages to sell service
Gay Peoples Chronicle
March 10, 2006
A long distance phone carrier and internet service provider uses an anti-gay scheme to to randomly telemarket homes through two conservative nonprofits. Making the automated calls on behalf of the charities keeps company exempt from the national Do Not Call list.

Freedom to Marry Week includes Valentine's Day
Gay People's Chronicle
February 10, 2006
National Freedom to Marry Week will be marked with activities across Ohio, coordinated by Ohio Freedom to Marry and Equality Ohio under the banner, "Families Warm the Heart."

Ohio village stands against anti-gay State amendment
Solidarity Ohio
March 7, 2005
The village of Yellow Springs passed a resolution opposing the Ohio State amendment banning marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships for gay couples. The resolution also encourages community members to recognize the equality of all families.

EDITORIAL: The Ohio amendment strikes back
Toledo Blade
January 24, 2005
A vaguely worded amendment + some sharp lawyers = unintended consequences: a legal attack on domestic violence protections. All Ohio residents will pay the price defending against new challenges to laws no one suspected would be vulnerable.

Ohio marriage supporters gain powerful ally — the AARP
Rainbow Network
October 5, 2004
The powerful 35 million member senior support and lobbying organization, the American Association of Retired People, has announced opposition to a state constitutional amendment.

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