AFTERSHOCKS: Akron Beacon Journal editorial

The warnings were clear, although buried in the buzz of the presidential campaign: State Issue 1, a complex constitutional amendment reaching far beyond a ban on gay marriage, would trigger unintended consequences because of harsh, imprecise language also barring the state from recognizing any relationship of unmarried individuals "that intends to approximate the design of marriage."

Issue 1 passed Nov. 2 and went into effect Dec. 1. Unintended consequences soon followed. More will certainly crop up as the full impact of the issue works its way through life in Ohio.

In Cuyahoga County, the public defender's office has filed motions to dismiss domestic-violence charges against unmarried defendants. No rulings have come down, but advocates for victims of violence fear a wave of similar motions, the amendment used to overturn state law giving the same status and protections to unmarried victims as married ones.

Ohio's public universities, which are continuing to offer domestic-partner benefits, have feared that a legal challenge could end a practice important to attracting the best and brightest faculty members. The challenge has arrived. It's coming from a legislator.

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posted by Eve at 8:05 PM | link

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