COLUMBUS, Ohio – Proponents of same-sex marriage in Ohio are moving forward in their efforts, despite suffering a major legal setback Thursday when a federal appeals court in Cincinnati upheld anti-gay marriage laws in Ohio and three other states.
The ruling broke ranks with other courts that have considered the issue and sets up the prospect of Supreme Court review.
Couples seeking to overturn Ohio’s ban on recognizing out-of-state gay marriages says they’re disappointed by the decision and will take their case to the nation’s high court, according to their attorney, Al Gerhardstein.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel that heard arguments on gay marriage bans or restrictions in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee on Aug. 6 split 2-1, with Circuit Judge Jeffrey Sutton writing the majority opinion.
A spokesman for Ohio’s attorney general says that office is pleased the appeals court agreed the issue should be decided by the democratic process.
One of the Ohio cases was filed by four gay and lesbian couples who wanted both spouses listed as parents on their children’s birth certificates and their marriages recognized.
A group seeking a constitutional amendment on the ballot to overturn Ohio’s gay marriage ban says it will continue that push while hoping that the issue will be heard by the Supreme Court.
FreedomOhio Executive Director Ian James outlined the plan in a statement after the ruling.
James says his group hopes that happens and that the court overturns the state ban, which he calls discriminatory. In the meantime, he says the group will continue collecting signatures for the ballot effort.