US: Judge considers suspending ruling demanding Ohio recognition of same-sex marriages

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A federal judge is considering putting a stay on a ruling he made ordering that the US state of Ohio must recognise out-of-state same-sex marriages.

Judge Timothy Black’s official ruling came on Monday, meaning the state must recognise out-of-state same-sex marriages. He announced the intention to do so last week.

In the ruling, however, he indicated that he may be inclined to stay the ruling for all but the four gay couples who filed the lawsuit, meaning the majority of gay couples would not be immediately affected by it.

Judge Black is expected to make his decision on Tuesday.

The ruling does not mean the state must perform same-sex marriages.

Attorney General Mike DeWine had already said the state will appeal against the ruling.

Black already in December issued a limited ruling which ordered the state to recognise same-sex marriages for death certificate purposes.

An Ohio US Representative last week called for the impeachment of Black for his intention to strike down the ban.