Universities still studying civil union ban

COLUMBUS (AP) -- Five public universities that offer health insurance to employees' same-sex partners and a Cleveland suburb that runs a domestic partner registry said they won't make changes unless challenged in court after Ohio's constitutional ban on civil unions takes effect today.
Legal experts have called Ohio's ban the broadest of 11 state amendments passed this year. Most took effect immediately. Oregon's also takes effect today, and Utah's will be in force Jan. 1.
Lawyers for Ohio State, Miami, Cleveland State, Ohio and Youngstown State universities together are still studying the amendment and plan no changes, spokespeople said. All five this year started offering domestic partner benefits.
A Cleveland Heights councilman appealing the dismissal of his lawsuit to overturn the city's registry said Wednesday he would sue again using the new constitutional argument if the state doesn't act.
"We're not in any hurry," said the Rev. Jimmie Hicks Jr., who opposes the voter-approved registry and the city's decision to offer health insurance to domestic partners of employees.
His Cincinnati attorney, David Langdon -- who wrote the amendment language -- told the appeals court of the possible second lawsuit last month. Langdon said Wednesday he would have to file a new lawsuit because he couldn't raise the constitutional issue in an appeal on a case filed before it took effect.