Posted on 04/04/2014 10:30:37 AM PDT by markomalley
A federal judge says he will strike down Ohio's voter-approved ban on gay marriage, meaning the state must recognize marriages of gay couples who legally wed elsewhere.
Judge Timothy Black made the statement Friday following final arguments in a lawsuit that challenged the constitutionality of the marriage ban.
He says he'll issue the ruling April 14 prohibiting Ohio officials from enforcing the ban, which he says violates constitutional rights to equal protection and due process. Black's ruling will not mean Ohio has to allow couples to marry in the state.
Attorneys for the state had argued that it's Ohio's sole province to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
By announcing his intention ahead of his ruling, Black gives time for the state to prepare an appeal that can be filed as soon as he rules.
WLWT News 5's John London will have the latest on this story later today.
Why have a state legislature? The judges seem to feel free create de facto legislation on the fly.
If I were to get married again, I think I would have a minister marry me and forego the marriage license.
More activist judges in this country - what gives them the authority to overturn our laws? They are legislating from the bench - makes me sick!
1. States need to get to the point where they receive no federal money for anything.
2. Tell federal judges to get stuffed.
Appointed by B. Hussein 0bama in 2010 ....
Since Black’s an Obamugabi appointee there’s a good chance he’s a homosexual himself.
The State should ignore the Judge, tell him to go pound sand, and refuse to recognize gay marriage anyway.
“Black’s ruling will not mean Ohio has to allow couples to marry in the state. “
That’s next.
“violates constitutional rights to equal protection and due process”
While discounting the will of the people, the very foundation of the nation.
“Whim of a judge” trumps “Will of the People” (again).
Give them about a week.
Has there been a single court case on gay marriage decided the other way since the SCOTUS decision last year?
The only reason MrT5 and I got a “marriage license” was because of the military rules for benefits-otherwise we would not have bothered-we were married by a priest, and that had nothing to do with the county courthouse...
Good idea. Bring a lawsuit that says the homosexual government has no right to require marriage license for Holy Matrimony
The gay marriage ban DOES NOT violate any equal protection rights! The same laws apply to both gays and straights. Hetero men can’t marry a guy, either. Gays can marry anyone they like of the opposite sex, just as straights are legally forced to do. The judge was obviously never a mathematician, nor a computer programmer. No, the gays want SPECIAL privileges.
With this reasoning, a person from a permissive open-carry state should be able to sue Ohio in front of this very same judge for recognition of his out of state, lawful right.
But if Ohio were to write a law that prohibits recognizing that 2+1=4, should this same judge also strike down the new math law if challenged?
If I can’t marry my refrigerator and claim a tax deduction, it’s unconstitutional, racist, discriminatory, violates due process, etc.
And you’ll be labeled “Fridgeophobic”.
And if you try to stop me I’ll force taxpayer funding to destroy you and yours.
Clear enough ?!
The left has devalued marriage for heterosexuals but encouraging it for gays. So whacked.
Wonder when gays will be told marriage is just a piece of paper and shacking up is a better alternative.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.