***Please only sign if you are a registered voter in Ohio, feel free to share if you are not but still would like to support***

Dear Registered Ohio Voters,

"With Liberty and Justice for All." These are words that most of us have said countless times. Its the ending note of our country's pledge and the basis our county was founded on. The legislators of Ohio, however, seem to have forgotten this crucial, American idea.  

The Ohio Revised Code (ORC) contains language in section 3101.01 that specifically targets the LGBTQ+ community (around 462,000 Ohioans) (Williams Institute, 2020). This language states that any marriages between anyone besides a man and woman lacks legal force and effect and will not be recognized by the state of Ohio. 

This language has existed in the ORC since before the Obergefell, et al. v. Ohio Department of Health, et al. Supreme Court Case. This case specifically found that the language in ORC 3101.01 (C) was unconstitutional. Since this ruling, an amendment was made via House Bill 511 that added in the words "only" in front of "male persons" and "female persons." Furthermore, they kept the unconstitutional language from 3101.01 (C), moving it to section 3101.01 (B). This shows a flagrant disrespect for human rights, the LGBTQ+ population, and the United States Justice System. 

By signing this petition you are: protecting human rights, upholding the idea that all people are equal, and holding Ohio's legislative body responsible to the Justice System. An attack on anyone's rights only serves as a way for more rights to be taken away. 

Petition Committee: Cory Slack, Lauren Kraft, Logan Chirslip, Wesley Chivington

This petition serves as the referendum to strike out the following bolded text from ORC 3101.01 and add in the italicized text to ORC 3101.01

ORC 3101.01:

(A) Except as provided in section 3101.02 of the Revised Code, only male persons of the age of eighteen years, and only female persons of the age of eighteen years, not nearer of kin than second cousins, and not having a husband or wife spouse living, may be joined in marriage. A marriage may only be entered into by one man and one woman.

(B)(1) Any marriage between persons 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.

(2) Any marriage entered into by persons of the same sex in any other jurisdiction shall be considered and treated in all respects as having no legal force or effect in this state and shall not be recognized by this state.

(3) The recognition or extension by the state of the specific statutory benefits of a legal marriage to nonmarital relationships between persons of the same sex or different sexes is against the strong public policy of this state. Any public act, record, or judicial proceeding of this state, as defined in section 9.82 of the Revised Code, that extends the specific statutory benefits of legal marriage to nonmarital relationships between persons of the same sex or different sexes is void ab initio. Nothing in division (B)(3) of this section shall be construed to do either of the following:

(a) Prohibit the extension of specific benefits otherwise enjoyed by all persons, married or unmarried, to nonmarital relationships between persons of the same sex or different sexes, including the extension of benefits conferred by any statute that is not expressly limited to married persons, which includes but is not limited to benefits available under Chapter 4117. of the Revised Code;

(b) Affect the validity of private agreements that are otherwise valid under the laws of this state.

(4) Any public act, record, or judicial proceeding of any other state, country, or other jurisdiction outside this state that extends the specific benefits of legal marriage to nonmarital relationships between persons of the same sex or different sexes shall be considered and treated in all respects as having no legal force or effect in this state and shall not be recognized by this state.

Summary of Changes:

(In section 3101.01(A) Strike out "only male"; Strike out "and only female persons of the age of eighteen years,"; Amend "husband or wife" to "spouse"; Strike out "A marriage may only be entered into by one man and one woman.")

(Strike out sections (B) (1)-(4))