Ohio gov. signs bill banning gay marriage

AP | 2/06/04

[kattracks]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Gov. Bob Taft approved one of the country's most-far reaching gay-marriage bans on Friday, saying its adoption was urgent because the nation's first legally sanctioned same-sex weddings could take place as early as this spring in Massachusetts.

The bill, which Taft signed in private, also prohibits state employees from getting marital benefits for their unmarried partners, whether homosexual or heterosexual.

Approving the bill to make gay marriages "against the strong public policy of the state" became more pressing after the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled 4-3 this week that denial of marriage to same-sex couples as unconstitutional, Taft said.

"It is necessary for us to act now to safeguard Ohio's marriage laws," Taft said. "Ohio could have same-sex couples who were 'married' in Massachusetts taking legal action in Ohio to recognize that marriage and to obtain the resulting benefits."

When the law takes effect in 90 days, Ohio will become the 38th state to adopt a "defense of marriage act" and the second to deny benefits to some employees' partners.

Taft, a Republican, denied assertions that the law promotes intolerance. He said the new law would send a strong positive message to children and families.

"Marriage is an essential building block of our society, an institution we must reaffirm," he said.

[LiteKeeper]

SPOTREP - Go Gov Bob!

[xsmommy]

well your taxloving Gov did something right!

[NeoCaveman]

well your taxloving Gov did something right!

And he signed concealed carry last month.

Who knew after 6 years he's acting like a Republican. Maybe his boss....err wife, finally got conservative.

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

Another victory for Adam & Eve

Another defeat for Adam & Steve

[xsmommy]

are you insinuating the gov is... whipped...?

[delapaz]

yep Taft is a certified RINO. The fact that he signed this goes more than anything to show how conservative Ohio is becoming. Still glad he signed it though.

The next time you hear some idiot say that all a Democrat has to do to be elected is win all the states Gore won and then win Ohio, remember this.

Ohio is going for Dubya again!

[NeoCaveman]

are you insinuating the gov is... whipped...?

I guess I was too subtle.

The man is p-whipped!

[xsmommy]

subtlety is MY specialty.... ; )

[gooleyman]

Good. I've been criticizing him when he did something against my wishes. I must now complement him on something he done good on. That goes for the concealed carry law as well. Good job Bob.

[My2Cents]

Wonderful news. Remember Dukasis and the "Pledge" issue? This issue will have a magnatude of 10 over the "Pledge" as a weight around Kerry's neck. Banning gay marriage may not go over in the coastal regions of California, but everwhere southeast of Vermont, all the way to the Sacramento Valley, this will be a big issue.

[KQQL]

[petercooper]

Yes Taft!

[Callahan]

Correct. Kerry is pissing off his base by doing his usual gutless finger-to-the-wind dance around this issue. It's only going to harm him.

[ohioWfan]

THANK you, Gov. Taft!

[templar]

Anyone announcing a court challenge to it yet?

[My2Cents]

And I don't think people in "red state America" are fooled either.

[therut]

Gov Taft did not sign CCW. He was overridden on a VETO!

[NeoCaveman]

Are you sure, there weren't just enough votes to override (another) veto?

[little jeremiah]

Hee Hee Hee!!! Homsexual Agenda ping - I'm getting delerious. Heheheh!!!

Let me know if you want on or off this ping list which is getting very busy.

Think about your ideas - test coming soon. (Should I do the vanity asking for input (and ideas of my own) tomorrow or wait until the weekend is over? Feedback wanted, freepmail is fine or a thread response.)

[Loyal Buckeye]

It's my understanding he signed it.

[gooleyman]

Gov Taft did not sign CCW. He was overridden on a VETO!

-----
He signed it, according to "Ohioans for Concealed Carry":

http://www.ohioccw.org/article1697.html

There was a threat of an override, but I'm not sure if there were enough votes or not. There probably were since he signed it fairly quickly after it hit is desk.

[mrustow]

Please add me to your ping list. Thanks in advance.

[little jeremiah]

WIll do!

[mrustow]

Thanks! Things may get pretty hot and heavy (with articles, that is!), if you'll pardon the pun.

[swarthyguy]

>>Maybe his boss....err wife, finally got conservative.

Maybe she got mugged by a gay punk.

[George from New England]

Yea, I thought he vetoed it.

Hasn't it been stopped by some liberal judge?

[Hotdog]

Now all the queers in Ohio will have to move to the
Gay State

[ArGee]

Taft, a Republican, denied assertions that the law promotes intolerance.

How silly. Of course it promotes intolerance. However, it promotes intolerance of a twisted behavior. Why is it wrong to be intolerant of twisted behavior? I would think that would be a good thing.

Homosexuals don't need tolerance, they need treatment.

[Democratshavenobrains]

To all the Conservatives who think electing Republicans is wrong if they don't agree 100% with your feelings: Do you think a Democratic Governor would sign this?

[Grampa Dave]

So is your list of people getting bigger and bigger after the Ma gay agenda judicial perverts mugged the citizens of Ma.?

I have been telling the wishy washy Episcopalians that this would happen, and they would be forced to make a decision as the nation is being forced.

Keep up the good work!

[NeoCaveman]

Now all the queers in Ohio will have to move to the Gay State

IF only. Then I could pick up property in Lakewood on the cheap.

[little jeremiah]

Thanks - I just ping'em when I see'em!

And I will be wtiting up a vanity, I guess on Monday. I've got ideas of what I can do, and others can do, to thwart the homo-nazis. It seems as though it is coming to a head, as in a giant boil. They want to defeat us utterly, and any compromise is wrong. Look what's happened already - and they are vicious, and won't rest until every kid K-12 has a "gay" counselor and no one is allowed to say one word against "gays".
What to speak of cannibalism - although I have to admit that if homosexuals began to eat for dinner and lunch, it has its upside... ;-)

[Grampa Dave]

Keep doing what you are doing, posting the reality of the Gay agenda.

Then we can use that reality to wake more moderates.

[xzins]

All of us who emailed, phoned, or wrote to Gov. Taft should send him our best wishes on this signing.

I have differences with him over taxation, but this has restored some confidence about other areas.

[ruoflaw]

He said he would veto if they didn't make some changes on the CCW law...some changes were made and he signed it.

[Tuxedo]

Ain't it the truth? Then we no longer would need to call it Flakewood.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Gore didn't win Ohio ! and Taft only won on concealed carry promises

[He Rides A White Horse]

I'm wondering how long it will be before some judge declares it "unconstitutional".

[SedVictaCatoni]

Who knew after 6 years he's acting like a Republican. Maybe his boss....err wife, finally got conservative.

Well, Hope springs eternal.