US: Proposed Ohio amendment to legalise same-sex marriage advances
A ballot measure to overturn the US state of Ohio’s same-sex marriage ban has been given the green light.
The Ohio Ballot Board on Tuesday agreed that the ‘Freedom to Marry and Religious Freedom Amendment’ contains a single constitutional amendment, allowing it to gather signatures.
As well as ensuring clergy members will not be forced to perform same-sex marriages, the amendment includes language which requires that all legal marriages are treated equally under the law.
Equal marriage advocacy group FreedomOhio seeks to repeal and replace the state of Ohio’s 2004 same-sex marriage ban.
The ban was approved with 62% of votes.
This new amendment has no links to the recent ruling by Judge Timothy Black to, meaning the state must recognise out-of-state same-sex marriages.
Judge Black’s ruling is subject to stay pending appeal.
