Same-sex marriage amendment won't appear on November ballot

If lawmakers decline to pass the bill, FreedomOhio could under Ohio law collect another 116,000 signatures to put the bill to a public vote.
TNS Regional News
Apr 6, 2014


Ohioans will not see a same-sex marriage amendment on this November’s ballot.

FreedomOhio, the group that has been collecting signatures for a constitutional amendment, said Friday it will “hold its original petition for marriage equality in a state of readiness for filing” while gathering signatures for another petition with “revised language.”

At the same time, FreedomOhio will begin circulating a petition for an initiated statute for an Equal Housing and Employment Opportunity Act to prohibit discrimination against gays, lesbians and trans-gender individuals in the areas of housing and employment. The group will need to collect 116,000 valid signatures of registered Ohio voters to submit the measure to the General Assembly. If lawmakers decline to pass the bill, FreedomOhio could under Ohio law collect another 116,000 signatures to put the bill to a public vote.

Ian James, co-founder of FreedomOhio, said the group will consult with other instate LGBT groups and allies “to determine the appropriate time for ballot placement.”

In a statement, he took a slap at Equality Ohio, another group pushing for a same-sex marriage ballot issue in 2016.

“Equality Ohio is operating under the misguided illusion that they can get EHEA (Equal House and Employment Act) passed this year in what is arguably the most conservative legislature in Ohio’s history. We are going directly to the people because we believe they support EHEA and they support it now.”

An anti-discrimination law similar to what FreedomOhio is proposing has been introduced in the legislature as House Bill 163, sponsored by Reps. Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, and Ross McGregor, R-Springfield.


By Alan Johnson - The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio (MCT)

©2014 The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio)

Visit The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio) at

Distributed by MCT Information Services


swiss cheese kat's picture
swiss cheese kat

And when the public votes no, what will the lgbt bullies do next?

If my beliefs do not conform to yours, that does not give you the Right to force your gay beliefs on me.


What makes you think that the public would vote no? Not every voter in Ohio is not as close-minded as you!


Because in the last vote it was a landslide against it! And personally people are getting tired of their bully tactics.


Actually, judging by recent polls, people are becoming more tolerant. When people are tired of their bully tactics are in places like this were they are usually attacked first and they step up to the plate to fling it back into their faces. All that does is cause more problems and make people say comments like yours.


Are you kidding me? They are the bullies? They are not the ones being told who they can and cannot marry. They are not forcing any beliefs on you. If they have significant feelings for someone of the same sex who are you to say they have no entitlement to marry simply because they are of the same gender? I may not be a christian, but do you see me shoving people off my porch when they come up to push their religion on me? No. I will take the time to listen to what they have to say. I have respect for their beliefs even though I may not see things the same way. I'm not going to shun people because I'm too ignorant to open my eyes and realize not everyone is like myself.


Right on.


All men are created equal, Remember that?

Your vote to discriminate is nothing to be proud of, Actually its quite embarrassing.

All Men Are Created Equal


Exactly @TrollingMotors


Better not be in favor of equal rights or you might catch "the gay". Oh wait...


I find it hard to accept the notion that LGBT people are bullies when all they are asking for is to be respected and treated equally. I don't live in Norwalk anymore, but some day I would like to be able to come home for a visit and walk down the street holding my boyfriend's hand without fear that someone is going to beat us up or call us names. As far as "forcing my gay beliefs on you", my ability to marry my boyfriend has absolutely no effect on you. You don't have to come to the wedding, you don't have to participate or send me card, you don't even have to know that it's taking place. You will still be able to go to church and pray and lead your life as you choose. We are not bullies. We are human beings with rights.


We already voted NO!!! Go back to NY, california and the liberal states and stay out of OHIO! Other than Lakewood, we are all straight!


So you are proud of your discrimination?
All men are created equal, What part of that dont you understand?

In my opinon

@food..I can only say I am sure glad I don't know to many people like you. You are out of touch with the real world. And by the way I was born and raised in OHIO.


Foodforthought, that was such an ignorant comment. There are plenty of gay people all around, but people, with such hate like you, make people afraid to come out, or to show it in public. It's attitudes like yours that make people kill themselves because they aren't accepted for the way they were born. It isn't a choice. Who in the world would "choose" to be the object of such hatred? I grew up thinking the way you do, and for that, my own best friend couldn't tell me she was gay. It changed the way I felt. Odds are, you know someone who is gay, but they will never tell you, knowing how you feel about it.


I personally believe it is wrong. I believe in the word of God and the Bible says it's an abomination. That being said I don't however hate people because they are living a gay lifestyle. I had a friend who I've known since I was little come out to me and he asked me how I felt about it. I told him that I was raised on the teachings of the Bible and that I believe that it is wrong but that I would never hate him because of it nor would I stop being his friend. I don't have a right to tell anyone who to love but I think the idea that people are born gay is wrong. If we were meant to be with someone of the same sex then we would all be born with the same genitalia. They were made to fit together for a reason. They were designed by God to make babies. As the saying goes "It's Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve.


Although I appreciate your attitude towards people of the LBGT community, I am interested in what part of the bible exactly says anything about being gay. Also, if we are "designed" to create offspring, why would God create sterile people? Lastly, why is it our job as humans to create offspring?


WOW.. "when creating offspring". JOB?
with that sorta thinking, you would have never been born.


You asked where the Bible talks about being gay. Well I have a few verses here for you to read.

Romans Chapter 1


Hope this helps you understand a little more about why I believe the way I do.


God didn't write the Bible, though. Man did. I think they added in everything that has to do with hate. God loves everyone. He created everyone the way they are. And He is perfect, so there is no mistake. A god who is so loving can't possibly be so vengeful and hateful at the same time. Man added some parts into the Bible to instill fear, and to have power over the people by threatening them with the wrath of God. That's what I believe.

thinkagain's picture

Nice try Satan!


God is holy and our free will to sin against Him has separated us from Him. On the other hand God loves us and has shown His love by sending His Son for our reconciliation and forgiveness.

The answer is Jesus Christ. He is the fulfillment of God's justice and love.

That's why Jesus is the key, and life's supreme question becomes, what will you do with Christ?

Jesus not only loved us enough to die for our sins, so that those that believe may be saved, but he also loved us enough that He provided a way for us to overcome our sins, through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus expects righteousness and morality, but rather than give up your disobedience, you’re content to follow the wide path that leads to destruction.


Yes, Jesus came the first time with love for lost mankind. He willingly gave His life that those who believe on Him might be saved and live a life pleasing to Him. The next time He comes, it will be to punish those that did not accept the free gift of His sacrifice and disobeyed his Word.

No matter what excuse you may offer, homosexuality is a sin. It always has been and it always will be. Like all sin, homosexuality is a choice made from free will.

swiss family

wow.... did I just read that right??? did you just call her Satan????.... you know, you being able to quote verses from the Bible does NOT make you a Christian... but living a good life and not hurting people , intentionally, along the way, does.... you can quote all you want to, but even if I use you own logic ... you Say that Homosexuality is a sin, and Jesus came and died on the cross as a way to pay for all sins, so that those sins are all forgiven, along with all of the sins that you commit every day as well... right??? know, the God that I worship said that he gave us Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these was Love.. and I just can not wrap my head around calling anyone Satan, or telling a group of people that they are not going to spend eternity in heaven is in any way an act of Love... so if you need to run and hide in the fear and the shadow of what is sinful and what is not.. good for you , as for me, I will stand tall and bask in the warmth and glow of the radiance of my Savior, who Blesses me and everyone I see with good things every day in every way, and will deal with what they do that is sinful and wrong, with them , personally, when that time comes , because it is between Him and them, and no one else needs to worry about it..

So there you have it... and you are very welcome for permission now to stop worrying about everyone else and what they are doing and if it is a sin or not.... now what will you do with all of that free time... you're welcome!!!!


Thanks! I hate that about some people. They say they're Christians, but anyone who doesn't agree with them is Satan, or something like that. Some Christians are filled with so much hate. I don't know how they can call themselves Christians. I am a good person, and I believe in God, and I don't hate anyone who believes differently that I do. I love everyone. If I'm "Satan" for that, then so be it. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a good, loving person. It's not my job to judge anyone.

thinkagain's picture

I don't think Jesus specifically mentioned pedophilia, so if we use the homosexual activists argument, they must think its OK to be a pedophile.


Re: "I don't think Jesus specifically mentioned pedophilia,"

See: MT 18:6


For goodness sakes will people please STOP calling it a "lifestyle." It is not a lifestyle. The do not choose to become gay. If you truly believe that then please tell me when you chose to be straight? You didn't choose. You were born that way just like a gay person is. & if you believe in God then please answer the question as to why God would make someone gay if he thinks it's wrong! HE CREATED EVERYTHING!


What is all the problems?? Why must it be called marriage.
If it's a benefits thing---talk with your health car provider.
a hospital visit-----it's a patient rights thing
end of life thing-----get a good will.
No one is saying you can't shack up, do your thing, but why take the word "marriage".
That is a biblical term, phrase, act......that can't be changed.....
unless getting rid of the religious all together is the ultimate goal!

Why are so many pooper poppers, or ladies who physically with there partner, unable to reproduce........
bent on the term ..married.


You're on the right track.

SCOTUS used an estate case for their decision.


It aint' gonna happen, but IMO:

Get the Feds out of the benefits, income tax, estate, rules and regulation, et. al. business and return "marriage" back to it's religious only foundations.

If LGBTs wanna get "married" in the Our Lady of the Most Holy LGBT Church; it ain't none of my business.

Why the @#$% is it any of gubbermint's business to tell someone if they're "married" or not?


Did you hear about the state??..(can't remember) where the judge is now, not allowing couples who have children and are legally separated to decide one day to sleep together....without his approval .


I am actually agreeing with you. The Government should have absolutely nothing to do with "Marriage". They should not issue Marriage licenses or concern themselves with Divorces and dissolution unless it has to deal with the Civil Union. If he government has to have a say in civil unions for tax/benefits/business purposes they should have offer them to any and all citizens.

Marriage is a religious institution only and should be kept that way. LGBT people only want the same benefits/appearance as every one else is afforded by the government, everywhere, no questions asked.

Separation of Church and State.

Dr. Information

If it's voted no again, which it will, will they finally get the message?