Ohio Moves Closer to Same-Sex Union Ban
Lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to a measure banning gay marriage and prohibiting state employees from getting benefits for domestic partners.
The bill is considered among the most far-reaching in the nation because of the benefits ban, which applies to unmarried heterosexual and homosexual couples.
The Senate passed the legislation on an 18-15 vote Wednesday. The House had already approved the bill and Gov. Robert A. Taft has said he would sign it, pending a legal review.
The measure says same-sex marriages are “against the strong public policy of the state,” and aims to counter a 1934 U.S. Supreme Court ruling requiring states to recognize marriages from other states in most circumstances.
Thirty-seven states have passed laws recognizing marriage as a sacrament between men and women.
Ohio’s measure is particularly restrictive because it would prohibit benefits for state employees’ unmarried partners, said Seth Kilbourn, national field director for the Human Rights Campaign, a Washington-based gay and lesbian lobbying group. Nebraska has a similar ban.
The vote came despite opposition by some large companies. Dayton-based NCR Corp. sent a letter to lawmakers on Dec. 12 saying the measure could hurt the company’s ability to attract and retain employees.
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