Federal Judge Orders Ohio To Recognize Out-of-State Gay Marriages

A federal judge in Cincinnati says he will soon issue a ruling ordering Ohio to recognize out-of-state marriages.

“I intend to issue a written decision and order by April 14 striking down as unconstitutional under all circumstances Ohio’s ban on recognizing legal same-sex marriages from other states,” says Honorary Timothy S. Black, according to a spokesperson. The announcement comes after civil rights attorneys delivered closing arguments in the matter Friday.

A local NBC affiliate reports that the plaintiffs, three lesbian couples, originally sued to place the names of both parents on the birth certificates of their newborns, but later expanded their request. Attorneys for the state argue that Ohio has the right to ban gay marriage, as voters passed a constitutional amendment in 2004 recognizing marriage as the union between one man and one woman.