Gay Marriage Lawsuit in Ohio Expanded

A lawsuit initiated by two gay Ohio couples has beenexpanded to include all similarly situated couples.

John Arthur and James Obergefell first sued to ensure theycan be buried next to each other in a family plot.  David Michener joined the lawsuit afterpartner William Herbert Ives died unexpectedly. He wants to be listed as married on his partner’s death certificate.

Despite Ohio’s ban on same-sex marriage, Judge Timothy Blackruled in favor of the couples.  Attorneysare now requesting that he require Ohio’s health department director to ordercoroners and funeral directors to list gay clients as married as long as theywere legally wed out-of-state.  Blackapproved expanding the lawsuit and is expected to issue a ruling by December. 

See Amanda LeeMyers, Gay Marriage Lawsuit Expanded toOthers, The Columbus Dispatch, Sept. 25, 2013.