Former Ohio Attorney General and State Auditor Jim Petro has endorsed the Ohio Freedom to Marry and Religious Freedom Amendment.
In a statement, Petro said:
“Last year, my daughter Corbin married Jessica Gelman in Massachusetts, where same-gender marriages are legal. They are expecting a child soon, and deserve the same protections guaranteed to other families. Seeing their happiness, and realizing all the rights they would be denied here in Ohio has proven to me the importance of equal marriage in our state.
“I’m thoroughly convinced that bringing marriage equality to Ohio is the right thing to do. This amendment is rooted in a central conservative value, namely, freedom – the freedom to love, the freedom of religion, and the freedom from big government. I am proud to endorse this amendment.”
Ian James, FreedomOhio co-founder, thanked Petro for the endorsement.
“This endorsement shows that the tide is turning in favor of marriage equality in Ohio. We are grateful that Jim Petro is providing leadership to his fellow Republicans in making the conservative case for marriage equality. I look forward to seeing this amendment on the ballot in 2014, and with this endorsement, we move one step closer to bringing marriage equality to Ohio.”
