On Monday, a federal judge in Ohio issued an order for state authorities to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples. This development, said the Associated Press, is the latest court victory for supporters of gay rights.
According to Judge Timothy Black, the refusal of recognition of same-sex couples who got married elsewhere was a violation of one's constitutional rights and that the ban is not enforceable in all circumstances.
"The record before this court ... is staggeringly devoid of any legitimate justification for the state's ongoing arbitrary discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation," Black wrote in his ruling.
Black's ruling however, does not force Ohio to allow the marriages of same-sex couples in the state, AP added.
On the decision to whether issuing a stay of his ruling pending Ohio's appeal in the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Black reportedly delayed the decision until after the attorneys from both sides have presented their arguments about the issue on Tuesday. On the other hand, should Black declines to stay on his broader ruling, AP said this will allow same-sex couples in Ohio to enjoy the same federal benefits as awarded just like any other married couple. This would include property rights and the right to make medical decisions on behalf of his partner should the latter will be unable to do so.
Last week, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine had told AP that he is for the same-sex marriage ban, which is accordance to his belief and the majority of the voters in the state who voted in 2004 when the statewide ban was passed. He said, "Every state is having a lively debate over this and I think that's a proper thing to do. I think it's pretty obvious that all these issues are going to be resolved by the 6th Circuit and some cases are going to get to the Supreme Court. They're going to have a decision in the United States Supreme Court and we're all going to have to accept that."
