Jim Petro, a Republican and Ohio's
former attorney general, on Monday endorsed an effort to repeal
Ohio's 2004 voter-approved constitutional amendment which prevents
the state from recognizing any relationship other than a heterosexual
marriage.
Petro announced his support during a
press conference in Columbus.
“Last year, my daughter Corbin
married Jessica Gelman in Massachusetts, where same-gender marriages
are legal,” Petro said in a statement. “They are expecting a
child soon, and deserve the same protections guaranteed to other
families. Seeing their happiness, and realizing all the rights they
would be denied here in Ohio has proven to me the importance of equal
marriage in our state.”
“I'm thoroughly convinced that
bringing marriage equality to Ohio is the right thing to do. This
amendment is rooted in a central conservative value, namely freedom –
the freedom to love, the freedom of religion, and the freedom from
big government. I am proud of to endorse this amendment.”
In March, Ohio Senator Rob Portman
endorsed marriage equality in much the same way, crediting the coming
out of his son Will for changing his position on the issue, though
Portman has said that he does not plan to campaign in favor of
changing Ohio's law.
The group FreedomOhio is collecting
signatures to put the question on next year's ballot.
(Related: Phil
Burress warns Ohio politicians against backing gay marriage.)