Ohio Defense of Marriage Act could prevent murdered woman from receiving justice

[ck4829]

In the fight to discriminate against gays and lesbians by barring them from legal marriages, Ohio voters approved a DOMA law which was then enacted in 2004. Ohio's constitution now reads:

"This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage."

The separate, unequal treatment of domestic violence in Ohio means that women will die - as Alicia was murdered -- simply because they did not have a marriage certificate, a piece of paper.

In March 2005, Ohio judges started ruling that unmarried couples were no longer protected by state domestic violence law, which previously covered family and household members. In Wood County, only 25% of domestic violence cases involve married couples. Under Ohio DOMA, only married partners can be charged with domestic violence and now unmarried partners can only be charged with assault.

When domestic violence is treated as an assault charge, then repeat offenders - like the man who murdered Alicia - do not face escalating charges. Each assault charge is treated as a mere misdemeanor, which has a maximum prison term of 6 months. By contrast, when domestic violence is charged the first time, it is misdemeanor, but the second time the charge is elevated to a felony with at least 1 year in prison.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/5/12151/28456

[msongs]

1. yeah, but jesus still loves them so that makes it ok nt

[unpossibles]

2. the lord works in mysterious ways

and if you have to break a few eggs to prevent someone from having equal rights, well then....

</sarcasm>