US: Judge to strike down Ohio same-sex marriage ban
A federal judge has announced that he plans to issue a ruling to strike down the state of Ohio’s same-sex marriage ban, meaning it must recognise the marriages of same-sex couples performed elsewhere.
On Friday, federal judge Timothy Black heard closing arguments in a case against the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.
Reports suggest the ruling will come on 14 April.
To attorney Al Gerhardstein, Black confirmed that he would issue a ruling striking down all aspects of the state’s ban on same sex marriage.
Gerhardstein had amended his request, saying he previously only asked for out-of-state same-sex marriages to be recognised in Ohio.
The ruling does not mean same-sex marriages can take place in Ohio.
Black already in December issued a limited ruling which ordered the state to recognise same-sex marriages for death certificate purposes.
The state’s Attorney General has already said he will appeal the ruling.