All across the country, many same-sex couples share one common wish - to be able to have the right to marry their loving partners and to have the same benefits as married heterosexual couples. Same-sex marriages are currently legalized and recognized in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington D.C., while other locations such as New York, Rhode Island, and Maryland currently recognize same-sex marriages from other states, but refuse to provide marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Other various locations across the country such as Hawaii, Illinois, and Wisconsin currently perform and recognize simple civil unions.

It's time for Ohio to become the next state to legalize and recognize same-sex marriage and to provide equal marriage benefits to those couples wishing to marry.

Current Ohio law states that a marriage can only take place between a male and a female and that a marriage between two members of the same sex "is against the strong public policy of this state. Any marriage between persons of the same sex shall have no legal force or effect in this state and, if attempted to be entered into in this state, is void ab initio and shall not be recognized by this state.", as stated in a portion of the Ohio Revised Code. The Ohio Constitution further supports this by stating that "Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage."

In reality, there are MANY benefits to same-sex marriages, such as married partners being able to make joint medical decisions, inherit one another's property (real estate, personal property, etc.), providing for their own family as well as their immediate families, benefit from causes of action related to or dependent upon spousal status, excersising adoption rights, and accessing full marriage benefits.

In 1948, the California Supreme Court stated "marriage is more than a civil contract to be regulated by state law. It is a fundamental right of all citizens." Let's tell Ohio Governor John Kasich that it's time for this very statement to be put into effect and let equality reign supreme in Ohio by finally legalizing same-sex marriage.

The Declaration of Independence states that "all men are created equal." The Constitution of the United States of America states that everyone is entitled to the exact same full equal rights and protections - this includes same-sex couples whose only wish is to marry the one person that they love. Let's see to it that this very statement becomes enacted into law.