Gay marriage in Ohio? (Columbus, Cleveland: transfer, military, law)

[jbcmh81]

2 local Democrats lead push for gay marriage | The Columbus Dispatch

On this issue, we seem to be a long way from 2004 in terms of where most people stand. I'm not convinced that a public vote now would result the same way, but if you just looked at the comments section to the story, you'd think it was still 1950.

How likely is it that Ohio would change this law in the next, say, 10 years? Honestly, if I was to guess, I would say that Ohio will probably be either one of the last states to change the law or will be forced to when the Supreme Court ultimately rules on its constitutionality.

[13th Alphabet]

I can't see Ohioans voting in favor of this. Even if Columbus and Cleveland were to vote in favor of it, Cincinnati and most of the rural parts of the state would generate more than enough votes against changing the law.

[jbcmh81]

Originally Posted by Wahl_Wrighter

I can't see Ohioans voting in favor of this. Even if Columbus and Cleveland were to vote in favor of it, Cincinnati and most of the rural parts of the state would generate more than enough votes against changing the law.

I tend to agree, though I'm less convinced than before. In 2004, the marriage amendment passed 62% to 38%, which was actually one of the closest margins of the 11 states that passed it that year. Since then, attitudes continue to change. I remember seeing something not too long ago that showed % support in 1995 vs 2009, and every state, even the most conservative, had support go up. In the mid 1990s, there was not a single state that had a majority support, but there were several that did.

For my part, whether or not one agrees with it, it seems to be an inevitability. Even if the Supreme Court ultimately rules against it, it's hard to imagine that would be the end of it. Equality ultimately is not decided by voters and there are plenty of examples where majority rule discrimination was overturned over time.

[abr7rmj]

Originally Posted by Wahl_Wrighter

I can't see Ohioans voting in favor of this. Even if Columbus and Cleveland were to vote in favor of it, Cincinnati and most of the rural parts of the state would generate more than enough votes against changing the law.

Maybe the northern Cincinnati burbs (Warren County), but certainly not the city, which just elected an openly gay councilman.

[streetcreed]

Still Columbus and Cleveland are the only socially liberal strongholds in the entire state. It's not enough votes to pass. Thought I wish it would.

[Natural510]

Agreed, still a long way off. In Springfield, there's still strong opposition to a city anti-discrimination ordinance despite politicians all being favorable to what seems to be no-brainer legislation at this point.

[streetcreed]

Originally Posted by streetcreed

Still Columbus and Cleveland are the only socially liberal strongholds in the entire state. It's not enough votes to pass. Thought I wish it would.

* make that "though" not "thought"

[Crew Chief]

Frankly, I just wish there were a federal law allowing gay marriage. That way we could FINALLY move on to more important issues. I can't imagine it being a state's rights issue since we are such a mobile society. What happens if you are transferred due to military orders? Every other problem is taken care of through reciprocity procedures between states.

[ohazco]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

...I can't imagine it being a state's rights issue since we are such a mobile society.

Not sure the 10th amendment cares much about the mobility of society.

[Natural510]

Originally Posted by ohazco

Not sure the 10th amendment cares much about the mobility of society.

The USSC didn't leave interracial marriages a states-only issue and I doubt they will do so with respect to same-sex marriage, either.