• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

Ohio Judicial Board: Judges Can’t Refuse To Marry Same-Sex Couples

Sean Mandell August 11, 2015 Leave a Comment

ohio

A state judicial conduct board in Ohio has said state judges cannot refuse to marry same-sex couples because of personally held religious or moral beliefs. Moreover, the board found that refusing to marry all couples, an often thinly veiled display of anti-gay animus intended to thwart LGBT couples from being wed, could be interpreted as a biased move that would disqualify a judge from any case in which sexual orientation is an issue.

The opinion came from the Ohio Supreme Court's Board of Professional Conduct and was issued Friday but was released Monday.

The Star Tribune reports: 

“Public confidence in the independence of the judiciary is undermined when a judge allows his or her beliefs concerning the societal or religious acceptance or validity of same-sex marriage to affect the performance of a judicial function or duty,” the board said. […]

The judicial board's ruling is nonbinding but could be used by the Ohio Supreme Court for guidance.

The decision didn't spell out specific punishment a judge could face for refusing to marry a same-sex couple.

Ohio judges who violate judicial codes of conduct face punishments ranging from reprimands to disbarment.

 The board emphasized that refusing to perform all marriages creates its own set of problems, including perceptions about a judge's performance of other duties.

“For example, if a judge who has declined to perform same-sex marriages is later assigned to hear a misdemeanor domestic violence charge involving a same-sex couple, the judge's ability to follow the law and impartially apply the domestic violence laws could reasonably be questioned,” the board said.

The Board's opinion was in response to a Toledo judge who sought guidance from the board. The judge in question had denied a gay couple based on his personal beliefs.

Meanwhile, three judges in Guernsey County, Ohio recently announced they were getting out of the marriage business in the wake of the Supreme Court's pro-equality ruling. Those officials allege their decision has nothing to do with same-sex marriage yet have offered no other explanation.

Topics: Uncategorized More Posts About: discrimination, gay marriage, Ohio

Related Posts
  • Former Roommate Indicted For Murder Of Florida LGBTQ Activist Jorge Diaz-Johnston, One of the Public Faces In State Fight For Marriage Equality
  • Survivor Benefits Payments For Same-Sex Partners Are Being Paid Under Biden, But Many Don’t Even Know They Qualify
  • Jim Obergefell, Plaintiff In The Supreme Court Case That Won National Marriage Equality, is Running For Ohio State House
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « Top 5 Over-the-Top Gay Honeymoon Getaways
Next Post: Australian PM Tony Abbott Kills Parliamentary Vote on Gay Marriage, Moves for National Referendum: VIDEO »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • Highlights from last night’s “Watch What Happens Live” with guests Cynthia Nixon and Ricki Lake!
    The post Highlights from last night’s “Watch What Happens Live” with […]
  • WATCH: Here is Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein’s 2025 Tony Awards acceptance speech
    Harvey Fierstein accepts the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award at the 78th […]
  • “Musical genius Brian Wilson has passed away at the age of 82” links
    Brian Wilson, the musical genius and founder of the Beach Boys, […]
  • It’s going to rain on Donald Trump’s dictator parade, literally & figuratively
    This coming Saturday, June 14th, is Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. He’s […]
  • Another GOP Senator 'Nervous' About The Big Beastly Bill
    Anti-poverty campaigners and rights advocates have warned for months that the […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×