AP: Gay marriage lawsuit expanded in Ohio

CINCINNATI (AP) — A lawsuit seeking to have the marriages of two gay couples recognized on death certificates has been expanded to include all similarly situated couples in Ohio, despite a statewide gay marriage ban.

Attorneys are asking a federal judge to require Ohio’s health department director to order all funeral directors and coroners in the state to list gay clients as married if they were legally wed in other states.

Federal Judge Timothy Black approved a request to expand the lawsuit today.

A spokeswoman for Ohio Department of Health Director Theodore Wymyslo did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Judge Black already has found in favor of two gay Cincinnati couples who wed over the summer in other states, ordering that they be listed as married on Ohio death certificates.