FreedomOhio applauded the announcement that, early next year, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider a case from Ohio in which the Court could require the state to recognize legal same-gender marriages performed in other states.
“This is big news,” said FreedomOhio co-founder and Executive Director Ian James. “FreedomOhio is excited that the Court will consider offering Ohioans the same legal protections that all couples and their families deserve. We will continue to energize and encourage Ohioans in pursuit of this goal, and we hope that 2015 will be a monumental year for equality.”
In the case, Obergefell et al. v. Hines, Cincinnati resident Jim Obergefell sued for his right to be listed as legally married to his now-deceased husband, John Arthur. Mr. Arthur and Mr. Obergefell were legally married in Maryland before Mr. Arthur lost his battle with ALS. While lower courts had sided with Mr. Obergefell and ruled in favor of recognizing their marriage, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed these rulings in November. By siding with Mr. Obergefell, the U.S. Supreme Court could require Ohio to recognize same-gender marriages legally performed out of state.
FreedomOhio is the state’s largest LGBT equality organization with over 62,000 members. The group is working to bring their clear, concise and constitutionally sound 46-word amendment to Ohio voters. The amendment will allow same-gender couples to go to a courthouse and receive a marriage license, while also protecting and respecting the rights of houses of worship to choose whether or not to perform and/or recognize those marriages. Polling from Public Policy Polling (PPP) showed 56% of Ohio voters support FreedomOhio’s amendment.
