Ohio State Issue 1 (2004)
Encyclopedia
Ohio State Issue 1 of 2004, is a ballot measure that amended the Ohio Constitution
to make it unconstitutional for the state to recognize or perform same-sex marriage
s or civil union
s. The referendum was approved by 62% of the voters.
The text of the amendment states:
The LGBT
rights organization Equality Ohio
was founded in response to the passage of Issue 1.
Ohio Constitution
The Ohio Constitution is the basic governing document of the State of Ohio, which in 1803 became the 17th state to join the United States of America. Ohio has had two constitutions since statehood was granted....
to make it unconstitutional for the state to recognize or perform same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
s or civil union
Civil union
A civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples rights,...
s. The referendum was approved by 62% of the voters.
The text of the amendment states:
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.
The LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
rights organization Equality Ohio
Equality Ohio
Equality Ohio is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advocates for full equality for the LGBTQ community. It is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. It was founded in 2005 following the passage of Ohio Issue 1, which banned state recognition of same-sex relationships...
was founded in response to the passage of Issue 1.