COLUMBUS Groups push for bill on same-sex marriage

Opponents say the bill could deny benefits to people other than homosexuals.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- A fight is brewing over a bill that would declare same-sex marriages to be against Ohio's public policy.
Conservative pro-family groups say the measure is necessary, given recent court decisions, including a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down Texas sodomy laws.
"Now is definitely the time to do this," said Gregory Quinlan, president of Dayton-based Pro-Family Network of Ohio. "We're putting a full grassroots effort on this."
"We're truly hopeful and optimistic that come fall it will move quickly," said Chris Long, executive director of the Christian Coalition of Ohio.
'Waste of time'
Opponents say the measure isn't necessary, that Ohio law already explicitly says marriage is between a man and a woman.
"It's a waste of time," said Tim Downing, interim chairman of the board of directors of Ohioans for Growth and Equality, a statewide coalition of gay and lesbian groups.
The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Lynn R. Wachtmann, a Napoleon Republican, would declare same-sex marriages against the "strong public policy" of the state and would prohibit state courts from recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states.
Wachtmann's bill, co-sponsored by five other rural Republican senators, is similar to one passed by the House in 2001. That bill died in the Senate.
Wachtmann said given recent court rulings, the bill is needed.
"Those court decisions may weaken the argument that current law is adequate," Wachtmann said.
Late last month, the nation's high court struck down the Texas sodomy law. Also last month, a court decision in Ontario, Canada, gave same-sex couples marriage rights, which are expected to become effective in all of Canada by the end of the year, making the country the third to allow gays to wed.
Quinlan said he believes the recent court decisions will make the bill easier to adopt in Ohio.
"It is already defined in law," Quinlan said of marriage. "However, what the problem is, what will happen when that reckless and irresponsible court decides that they're going to create an ... illegal means for homosexual marriage."
Denying benefits
Downing sees the measure as a potential avenue to deny benefits to people.
"If you are not married under the law, then you are not entitled to any benefits of legal marriage, even if those benefits have been granted to you by another state, municipality within the state of Ohio or another country," Downing said.
Those benefits could include the rights of survivorship, parental rights, visitation rights and employment benefits.
Downing said the measure, if enacted, could affect many others besides homosexuals.
"It could affect grandparents, aunts and uncles or relatives of people who have been granted rights or benefits by a court of law," said Downing.
Senate President Doug White, a Manchester Republican, hasn't discussed the bill with other Senate leaders, but he said he expects to have at least internal discussion on the need for the bill.