Ohio's anti-gay, anti-marriage constitutional amendment begins to backfire 


According to the Associated Press, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Stuart Friedman ruled on Wednesday that "[d]omestic violence charges cannot be filed against unmarried people because of Ohio's new constitutional amendment banning gay marriage." 

The case involved a repeat offender who was accused of slapping and pushing his live-in girlfriend during an argument. As a result of the ruling, he can only be charged with a misdemeanor assault, rather than felony domestic violence.

The new wording in the Ohio constitution prohibits any law that would "create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage."

Ohio Marriage Amendment

“Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage." 

Posted: Thursday - March 24, 2005 at 10:10 AM          

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