Obergefell, et al. v. Hodges - Freedom to Marry in Ohio
What's at Stake
The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio and Alphonse Gerhardstein of Gerhardstein & Branch have filed suit on behalf of Jim Obergefell and David Michener, two widowers, and Robert Grunn, a funeral director, in a challenge to the Ohio constitutional and statutory marriage recognition bans.
Summary
The case was filed in July 2013, by Al Gerhardstein on behalf of Jim Obergefell and John Arthur seeking recognition of their Maryland marriage on John's death certificate, before John's death. The Court granted Jim and John a temporary restraining order and when John died on October 22, 2013, his death certificate listing Jim as his surviving spouse and recognized that he was married at the time of his death.
Status: On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court overturned the 6th Circuit decision, and ruled that state bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional. VICTORY!
View the Amicus Briefs to the Supreme Court for and against the Freedom to Marry
Legal Documents
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11/14/2014
Obergefell, et al. v. Himes - Joint Petition For a Writ of Certiorari
Date Filed: 11/14/2014
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11/06/2014
Obergefell, et al. v. Himes - 6th Circuit Court Decision
Date Filed: 11/06/2014
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07/19/2013
Obergefell, et al. v. Himes - Declaration of James Obergefell
Date Filed: 07/19/2013
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07/19/2013
Obergefell, et al. v. Himes - Declaration of John Arthur
Date Filed: 07/19/2013
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06/26/2015
Obergefell, et al. v. Hodges - Supreme Court Decision
Date Filed: 06/26/2015
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04/24/2014
Obergefell, et al. v. Himes - Brief of Plaintiffs-Appellees
Date Filed: 04/24/2014
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04/18/2014
Obergefell, et al. v. Himes - Eagle Forum Education & Legal Defense Fund Amicus Brief
Date Filed: 04/18/2014
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04/17/2015
Obergefell, et al. v. Hodges - Reply Brief of Petitioners in Support of the Freedom to Marry
Date Filed: 04/17/2015
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04/17/2014
Obergefell, et al. v. Himes - Citizens for Community Values Amicus Brief
Date Filed: 04/17/2014
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04/10/2014
Obergefell, et al. v. Himes - Brief of Appellant Lance D. Himes, Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Health
Date Filed: 04/10/2014
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03/27/2015
Obergefell, et al. v. Hodges - Brief of Respondent Ohio Department of Health in Opposition to the Freedom to Marry
Date Filed: 03/27/2015
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03/02/2015
Obergefell, et al. v. Hodges - Petitioners Opening Brief
Date Filed: 03/02/2015
Download DocumentPress Releases
Legal Teams Announce Advocates Who Will Argue in Supreme Court Marriage Equality Cases
ACLU Reaction to 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Overturning Lower Court Decisions that had Struck Down Marriage Bans
Federal Appeals Court to Hear Arguments in Six Marriage Cases