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   ISSUES  > Family and Marriage
 
Ohio  
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State Information

Government Website: http://ohio.gov/GovState.stm#ohleg

Outline of State Law
Current Status of Law Concerning Marriage and Date of Passage 2004 - State Law Passed  2004 - Constitutional Amendment 
State Law Prohibits/Voids Same Sex/Same Gender Marriage yes  yes 
State Law Defines Marriage between a Man and a Woman yes  yes 
State Law Denies Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages Solemnized in Other States yes  yes 
State Law States that Same Sex Marriage is not Aligned with State Public Policy yes  no 
State Law Defines "Spouse" as Referring Only to a Person of the Opposite Sex Who is Married as Husband or Wife no  no 

Statutory Provision

Ohio Revised Code.  Tit. XXXI, § 3101.01(C)

(1)  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. 

(2) Any marriage entered into by persons of the same sex in any other jurisdiction shall be considered and treated in all respects as having no legal force or effect in this state and shall not be recognized by this state.

Constitutional Provision

Ohio Constitution.  Art. XV, § 11. 

Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage.

Of Note

 

U.S. Senators
US Senators and their Comments on FMA

Sherrod Brown, Democrat
http://brown.senate.gov/
As a member of the House, this senator voted against the federal DOMA in 1996 and the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004. In 2006, he did not vote.

George Voinovich, Republican
http://voinovich.senate.gov/
This senator was elected in 1998, therefore not present for the federal DOMA in 1996. The senator voted for the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004 and 2006.

State Public Policy Organizations Working on Marriage Issues

Citizens for Community Values



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