COLUMBUS - State Rep. Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, plans to introduce Ohio's Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) this spring. The bill has 39 co-sponsors.
The DOMA bill reads, in part: "Any marriage between persons of the same sex is against the strong public policy of this state. Any marriage between persons of the same sex shall have no legal force or effect in this state ...."
As a result of the pending legislation, Seitz has reported receiving threats from some homosexual groups. He is worried that Ohio, live Vermont, could become a destination for homosexuals if same-sex marriages ever become law in the state. According to statistical information supplied by the Vermont Department of Health, as of Dec. 31, Vermont performed 1,527 civil unions. Only 338 (22 percent) were Vermont residents. The remaining 78 percent were from outside Vermont.
Homosexual sex partners are using Vermont to "marry" and go back to there respective states. The first such case between two lesbians was reported April 26. The pair were "married" in Vermont and are attempting to get the state of Georgia to recognize their "marriage." Those watching the case believe that such couples will sue to use the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the Constitution to demand that their "civil union" be recognized in their state of residence.
Ohio had 70 persons who had civil unions performed in Vermont. Other states with large numbers include New York with 174, Massachusetts with 121 and California with 114.
Other tracking information provided by Vermont shows that most of the same-sex partners are between the ages of 30-34. Most indicated that they had four years or more of college. One of the same-sex partners is listed as "under age 18" and was "unionized" with a partner "30-34 years old."