US: Ohio Statehouse keeps ban on same-sex wedding receptions
The Ohio Statehouse will continue to ban all same-sex wedding receptions and ceremonies.
A 12-person review board has concluded there is “no need” to change rules that prohibit same-sex couples from renting out the Statehouse and its grounds for ceremonies and receptions.
Same-sex marriage is currently illegal in Ohio, and the publicly-owned Statehouse insists on all couples having valid in-state marriage licenses to hold wedding receptions there.
This means that same-sex couples, who already have to travel out of state to marry, are unable to hold a reception in the 150-year-old Statehouse.
Democratic Representative Michael Stinziano, who had asked for the review in order to accommodate same-sex couples, told the Dispatch: “It appears that a full consideration of what this policy is and what the review was asking for never happened.”
Ian James of FreedomOhio said: “The Statehouse has long been the people’s house, and denying public accommodations to people because of their sexual orientation is wrong, unacceptable and backward.
“I don’t understand why in the 21st century that we can’t figure out all people should be treated equal.”
The case could change if a ruling striking down the state’s marriage ban is upheld.
