The state of Ohio has been ordered to recognize the out-of-state
marriage of a second gay couple.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Black on Tuesday issued a temporary
restraining order in a case involving a couple that married in
Delaware on July 22. William Herbert Ives and David Michener were
together 18 years and were raising 3 children together. Ives died
unexpectedly and is scheduled to be cremated on Wednesday.
Black ruled that officials in Cincinnati cannot accept a death
certificate for Ives that does not list him as married and list
Michener as his surviving spouse, Cincinnati.com
reported.
Michener was also allowed to join a lawsuit filed in July by John
Arthur and James Obergefell. In that case, Arthur is dying from Lou
Gehrig's Disease (ALS) and wants to be buried in a family plot.
Black has issued a similar order mandating that state officials
recognize their out-of-state marriage.
(Related: Judge
extends order recognizing gay couple's marriage.)