Good News, Bad News
The good news is that the Ohio legislature will probably close the legal loophole that keeps domestic violence laws from applying to unmarried couples. The bad news is, because of the constitutional amendent bannign same-sex marriage, the change won’t apply to gay couples.
A state lawmaker from northeast Ohio says he’ll introduce a bill this week to close a perceived loophole in the domestic-violence law created by the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Democratic state Representative William Healy of Canton says his bill would define domestic violence as an act committed when individuals reside together, regardless of marital status.
…However, the change in the law will only affect heterosexuals in non married relationships. The domestic abuse law will not apply to same-sex couples because of the constitutional amendment.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that domestic violence occurs in same-sex relationships just like it does in heterosexual realtionships. It’s not something I’ve experience personally, thankfully, but I’ve had friends who were battered in their relationships. It doesn’t hurt any less when it happens to us, and we don’t need help any less when it happens to us.
March 31st, 2005 at 9:57 pm
It’s only domestic violence if you’re straight
More news from Ohio regarding their ridiculous approach towards domestic violence. The law is being updated to close the loophole that limits domestic violence charges to married couples, which sounds good — but all’s not well yet.