Judge Announces He'll Strike Down Ohio Ban on Gay Marriage

Cincinnati Enquirer:

A federal judge says he will strike down Ohio's voter-approved ban on gay marriage, meaning the state must recognize marriages of gay couples who legally wed elsewhere.
Judge Timothy Black made the statement Friday following final arguments in a lawsuit that challenged the constitutionality of the marriage ban.
He says he'll issue the ruling April 14 prohibiting Ohio officials from enforcing the ban, which he says violates constitutional rights to equal protection and due process. Black's ruling will not mean Ohio has to allow couples to marry in the state.
Attorneys for the state had argued it's Ohio's sole province to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
By announcing his intention ahead of his ruling, Black gives time for the state to prepare an appeal that can be filed as soon as he rules.
Ian James, leader of the group trying to get a gay-marriage amendment on Ohio's ballot as early as 2014, called the ruling "a step in the right direction." But he said he expects the state to appeal the ruling and request a stay. So his group will continue to gather signatures for two ballot initiatives.

The writing is on the wall for gay marriage bans.  It would be a breath of fresh air for the Republicans who run the state of Ohio to step forward and move a resolution through the legislature to put a Constitutional Amendment on the Ohio ballot to remove the ridiculous ban that was voted in back in 2004, and to legalize gay marriage (outside of the state Constitution).  I know that won't happen, but it would be good for the state if they did. You know, in a situation like this, being proactive would, you know, look civil.