First Feature Story!

Hey everyone,

I just wrote my first feature on same-sex marriage chronicling the recent defeat of a same-sex civil unions bill in Hawaii and how it effects the promise for same-sex marriage in Ohio. Enjoy!

Hawaii is a place most couples dream about having their wedding. The sandy shores, tropical climate, and rich culture of areas like Maui and Oahu lay scene for a number of weddings annually. However, for some couples, that dream will remain intangible.
On January 29, Hawaii legislators declined to vote on a bill that would have allowed same-sex civil unions, a dream bigger than a beach wedding for members of the gay community.
With this latest blow to the marriage equality movement, some citizens of Athens wonder whether same-sex marriage will ever become legal in Ohio.
Brooke Barron, a junior journalism major at Ohio University and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender activist, seemed disheartened by the recent setback in Hawaii, bringing up a painful memory regarding the approval of Ohio’s Defense of Marriage Act in 2004, which constitutionally limits marriage to a union between a man and woman.
As she started to speak about these issues, one could notice the frustration and subtle anguish boiling inside.
“It is unfortunate that this issue needs to be voted on,” she said while fiddling with her pink scarf. “I frankly don’t see the difference between this and slavery because they [federal and state governments] are not letting people live their lives.”
As she sadly glanced down the first floor hall of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism building, Barron started to open up about the hardships same-sex couples have to endure without the benefits of their heterosexual counterparts.
“The situation really does suck,” she muttered toward the empty hallway. “Ohio is my home. I have friends and family here and I feel it is unfair for me to pick up and move to a state like Vermont, just so I can marry my girlfriend.”
Although Athens County struck down the same sex marriage ban in 2004, not everyone in this lively college town feels the same way as Brooke and the LGBT community.
Keith Sluss, also a junior journalism major, has a different perspective on the idea of same-sex marriage in Ohio.
As he swung back and forth on a trite red porch swing, clenching a cup of coffee, he became guarded and steadfast about his opposition to marriage equality.
“I think that people do not want same-sex marriage,” he said bluntly. “I’m not trying to say that gay people should not have rights, but I believe the word marriage should be used to describe a union between a man and woman.”
Sluss further elaborated on the issue, alternating between exchanges and sips of dark roast ambrosia. “I think it is a good idea [to not use the term marriage] because it has been a tradition between a man and a woman for centuries. They should come up with a new name and benefits for gays, but it is not marriage.”
In the wake of Hawaii’s decision to indefinitely postpone its vote on H.B. 444, many residents of Athens find the principle of side-stepping controversial issues as a strategy for legislators to remain in office.
Mickey Hart, Director of Ohio University’s LGBT Center, feels strongly that election years are not the times where legislators want to gamble their careers on social issues such as gay marriage.
“It seems like their number one job is to get re-elected,” he laughed. “These issues are not the centerpieces of a legislator’s campaign.
Sitting in his clean, colorful office, it was hard not to anticipate an elaborate response to what he described as “sloppy politics” embedded in the state by state system of ratification. After he shot back a few quick e-mail replies to students and faculty members, he began to talk about the problems with this issue.
“The problem with same-sex marriage is that it’s a state issue when it should be a federal issue. The federal government is running away from its responsibility when it is clear this is really a constitutional issue.”
As he tried to research more about the Hawaii case on his iMac, he seemed pretty confident about the failure of state-by state referendums.
“Leaving same-sex marriage up to the states only drains money and what we see is little victories and big defeats. In all referendums, the majority has never voted to expand the rights of minorities.”
However, in November 2009, the Ohio House of Representatives witnessed a challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act by Rep. Tyrone Yates, D-Cincinnati, who introduced a resolution which would eliminate Section 11, Article 15 of the Constitution.
Barron cracked a quick smile as she was sending a friend a quick text message. “I would support this challenge,” she said. “It is kind of ironic because I am otherwise a Republican but there is no awareness about the inequalities gay people face. The law does not stop same-sex couples from co-habitation and engaging in family life so it would only benefit more people in the long run.”
However, Sluss and Hart both seem skeptical of the challenge, expressing opinions of doubt whether the initiative will affect change in Ohio.
“I don’t agree with this,” said Sluss while he sat engaged in the conversation. “I think people have gotten caught up in popular culture in recent years but I do not think much has changed since 2004.”
Although Hart did express his admiration for Yates’ courage in contesting the same-sex marriage ban, he consents with Sluss about his skepticism for Yates’ resolution. “I believe this state will be one of the last states who will legalize same-sex marriage by either following other states’ support or by having the issue legalized at the national level. It is simply easier to go with the status quo than to side with change.”