Narrow ruling rejects Ohio gay marriage ban

[dbackjon]

A federal judge ordered Ohio authorities Monday to recognize gay marriages on death certificates, saying that the state's ban on such unions is unconstitutional and that states cannot discriminate against same-sex couples simply because some voters don't like homosexuality.

Although Judge Timothy Black's ruling applies only to death certificates, his statements about Ohio's gay-marriage ban are sweeping, unequivocal and expected to incite further litigation challenging the law.

Black cited a prediction by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who wrote in a strong dissenting opinion in June that the court majority's decision to strike down part of an anti-gay marriage law would lead to a rash of state challenges.

Black said the prediction came true and now the lower courts must apply the high court's ruling.


http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/AP-Narrow-ruling-rejects-Ohio-gay-marriage-ban-5088284.php

[Swede Atlanta]

1. Wow, this is a creeper.....

this ruling will have significant implications for issues outside of marriage certificates...

If a state cannot discriminate in the area of death certificates then why limit this to just end-of-life? Why shouldn't these equalities also apply during life?

I suspect between this case and the Utah case these are going to progress now to the SCOTUS. I don't expect them to be taken up during the 2013-2014 term because they have not exhausted the district/Circuit Court processes but I expect one or more of them to be ripe for the 2014-2015 term. I doubt the Court would issue a ruling, however, until close to the term, i.e. end June 2015.