Ohio lawmakers are making headlines with a much-discussed bill challenging labor unions, but Think Progress has uncovered an antigay section of the bill defining marriage as being between a man and a woman.
From Sec. 3101.01 of the bill, viaTowleroad.com: “A marriage may only be entered into by one man and one woman. Any marriage between persons of the same sex is against the strong public policy of this state. Any marriage between persons of the same sex shall have no legal force or effect in this state and, if attempted to be entered into in this state, is void ab initio and shall not be recognized by this state. The recognition or extension by the state of the specific statutory benefits of a legal marriage to non-marital relationships between persons of the same sex or different sexes is against the strong public policy of this state. Any public act, record or judicial proceeding of this state, as defined in section 9.82 of the Revised Code, that extends the specific statutory benefits of legal marriage to non-marital relationships between persons of the same sex or different sexes is void.”
Ohio has already banned marriage equality, which Think Progress’ Zaid Jilani says makes this language “either redundant and spiteful or aimed at preventing the recognition of equal benefits to same-sex couples by means other than marriage.”
Read more here.
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