New York — Today U.S. District Judge Timothy Black struck down part of a constitutional amendment in Ohio that denies gay couples the freedom to marry and withholds legal respect for gay couples who have gotten married. He ordered the state to treat couples married elsewhere like any other couples who marry out of state—as married.
Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry, released the following statement: "Couples who are married should be treated as married no matter where they are in the country, including Ohio. Couples should not have to play 'now you're married, now you're not' as they travel, work, move, or return home. This is a good day for families and businesses in Ohio, and a good day for the Constitution and America."
WHY MARRIAGE MATTERS OHIO ISSUES STATEMENT ON JUDGE BLACK'S RULING TODAY
Columbus, OH - Why Marriage Matters Ohio's campaign manager, Michael Premo, today released a statement supporting U.S. District Judge Timothy Black's ruling that orders the State of Ohio to recognize legal, out-of-state marriages of same sex couples.
Premo's statement is as follows:
This is a historic day for all Ohioans. Judge Black ordered the State of Ohio to treat every legally married couple the same. This ruling is about love, stability and family; and it is a victory for the families that have been denied equality under the law. We thank Judge Black for his ruling, which is a great step in the right direction toward full marriage equality.
We are excited about today's ruling, but we know that our work must continue. We will keep talking to Ohioans about why marriage matters and highlighting the amazing stories of loving and committed couples that are being denied the dignity of marriage. We will continue to encourage everyone to talk to their friends, family and neighbors about marriage equality because we know that it strengthens families and communities.
Whether through the courts or the voting booth, we will achieve full marriage equality here in Ohio. Until that day comes, we will continue to work to ensure that all Ohio families are treated equally.
About Why Marriage Matters Ohio
Why Marriage Matters Ohio was launched in September 2013 by the Equality Ohio Education Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Ohio, and national organizations Freedom to Marry and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a grassroots public education campaign to build support for marriage equality in Ohio. This campaign is about having conversations and sharing stories, showing that same-sex couples and their families should be welcomed and treated fairly in Ohio. It is about opening hearts and minds throughout our state.
