Appeals Court to Hear Ohio Marriage Cases

Should the state of Ohio recognize samesex marriages performed in other states, just as it honors other unions that its own laws forbid?

The Sixth Circuit US Court of Appeals in Cincinnati will hear appeals of two cases on Aug 6 that could decide that question for good.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is fighting the rulings, which would require the state to recognize same-sex marriages from states that embrace marriage equality. One case involves four couples who

want to be listed as married on their children's birth certificates.

The other involves two Cincinnati men who want their late husbands to be recorded as married on state-issued death certificates.

A pending federal lawsuit seeks fullfledged marriage equality in Ohio.

Two rallies are planned in Cincinnati. On Aug 5, Why Marriage Matters Ohio will sponsor a rally at 5:30p in Lytle Park. On Aug 6, FreedomOhio will host a rally at noon at the Potter Stewart US Courthouse.

Obama Order Bars Bias by Federal Contractors

President Obama signed an executive order July 21 requiring businesses that get federal contracts to pledge that they won't discriminate against LGBT workers.

"America's federal contracts should not subsidize discrimination against the American people," Obama said at White House ceremony, according to an Associated Press report.

The White House said the latest executive

order is consistent with the president's pledge to take action on his own when Congress won't act on important issues. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act was approved in the Senate last year, but the House hasn't moved on the bill.

ENDA would add gender identity and sexual orientation to federal anti-discrimination laws. Just 18 states bar discrimination against LGBT people. Ohio isn't one of them."

Give Them a Toaster

Brad Thorson, an offensive lineman for the 2006 University of Wisconsin football team that finished fifth in the nation, came out on his blog on the Fourth of July. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals in 2011 but never played an NFL game.

"I'm gay. I'm also an athlete," he wrote. "For years, I struggled to unite these two identities in my own mind. Not until after my professional athletic career came to an end did I allow myself to understand my sexuality. Now, three years later, I'm finally ready to share that with people. outlookohio.com

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Swimmer lan Thorpe, a five-time gold medalist and Australia's most decorated Olympian, came out in a TV interview on July 13.

"I was concerned about the reaction from my family, my friends, and I'm pleased to say that in telling them, especially my parents, they told me that they love me, and they support me," he said. "And for young people out there, know that that's usually what the answer is."

Transgender Woman Killed in Cincinnati

Tiffany Edwards, 28, was found dead in the middle of a Cincinnati street on June 26. She was the fourth transgender Ohioan murdered in the last 18 months.

"Tiffany was Tiffany. Our family accepted Tiffany for Tiffany.... Tiffany was love. Tiffany gave love," Edwards' aunt told WLWT-TV in Cincinnati. Tiffany came out to her family at age 14, she said.

On July 2, police arrested Quamar Edwards, 25, who is not related to the victim. His uncle told WLWT that Tiffany Edwards hit on his nephew, although police said he solicited her for sex.

GLAAD said the tactic of blaming LGBT victims for the violence they suffer "trans panic" or "gay panic" has been discredited as a legal tactic.

Edwards is one of six transgender women of color murdered in the United States this year. In Ohio, three trans women have been killed in Cleveland since January 2013.

BRAVO, the Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization, said the latest killing underscores the need for action in Ohio to address hate crimes against LGBT people. The state's hate-crimes law does not cover crimes based on a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity.

"If civil unions were truly the same as marriages, they would be called marriages and not civil unions. If they were the same, there would be no need for both of them."

Colorado District Judge

C Scott Crabtree

Lesbian Parents Denied Public Pool Family Pass

There's no gum allowed at the Heise Park pool in Galion. And no snorkels, no dunking, no smoking and no rough play.

Oh, and apparently, no families headed by gay or lesbian parents.

Galion, a city 60 miles north of Columbus, decided in July to review its policy on family passes at a city-owned swimming pool after two women and their four children were denied a pass reserved only for "a mother, father and... dependent children."

Galion resident Melody Mohn posted a message on Facebook about her denial of a family. pass, which would have saved her family more than $80.

"I am more hurt than angry," she wrote. "I called the mayor's office to request permission to purchase the pass. It took me a minute to work up the courage to make the call. Which in itself just sucks.... Could have lied and changed some names around but bit the bullet and went with honesty. I guess I would rather do without the pass."

We Are Pleased to Announce...

Phyllis and Christine (Hershey) Annotto were married June 26, 2014, on the beach in Ocean City, Maryland. Phyllis's daughter Kirsten and her nephew Anthony stood by their side as they exchanged vows. The couple now resides in Reynoldsburg,

Ohio.

Send your photos and announcements (200 words or less, please) to erin@outlookmedia.com.

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