Loveland, Ohio – On June 26, the US Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, thereby making same-sex marriage legal in Loveland.
Mayor Linda Cox was asked Sunday afternoon, “Will you perform same sex marriages in you capacity as Loveland Mayor?”
She said, “I officially had the Clerk, Misty Cheshire, not schedule any wedding ceremonies for me to perform since the end of Feb. and I do not intend to perform any wedding ceremonies in the future.”
Cox is under no legal obligation to perform the civil ceremony, however has the authority to solemnize marriages and previously performed many wedding in her capacity as Mayor of Loveland under provision of Section 3101.08 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Section 3101.08 of The Ohio Revised Code reads as follows:
Who may solemnize marriages.
An ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation within this state who is licensed to solemnize marriages, a judge of a county court in accordance with section 1907.18 of the Revised Code, a judge of a municipal court in accordance with section 1901.14 of the Revised Code, a probate judge in accordance with section 2101.27 of the Revised Code, the mayor of a municipal corporation in any county in which such municipal corporation wholly or partly lies, the superintendent of the state school for the deaf, or any religious society in conformity with the rules of its church, may join together as husband and wife any persons who are not prohibited by law from being joined in marriage.
So I will need to look elsewhere to marry my canine? Equal rights aren’t just for humans, love transcends species, and we need to be tolerant of human-animal love too. Always a new frontier to be blazed!
Hey SJWs, Loveland happens to be conservative. Our elected officials reflect the city’s conservatism. Local traditions for local people!
Local traditions like what exactly? The mayor may personally choose not to perform same sex marriages, but she has yet to make such a declaration. Until we hear from her with her exact views and intentions, we can only speculate.
Timely topic, especially since Supreme Court just ruled on the matter. Quite appropriate for LMag to ask the mayor a question on the topic. And with such a vague response from her, some follow up may be called for, from any source. After all, Loveland is a mini marriage destination.
Linda Cox doesn’t approve on same sex anything. It really is sad for the LGBT culture in Loveland.
I wish she did perform ceremonies – my fiancé and I wanted to get married in Loveland – we are non-denominational and we live here! – and even though the website says that the mayor does perform ceremonies, when he called, he was told that she didn’t do them. It is really disappointing…
talk about digging for nothing on this one. she has not done them since Feb, why wasn’t it reported then?
lets just keep stirring the pot and try to make something from nothing
She stopped performing all marriage ceremonies back in February. It seems like you’re fishing for a story that isn’t there.
SM, she obviously didn’t; that would reveal her bigotry. Her refusal to own it makes her a coward, too.
What a disappointing, calculated move by Mayor Cox. Our city, which so often features the word “love” that is in its very name, will now become known as a place that is hostile to LGBT people (if it isn’t already…)
Completely agree.
Thank you Mayor Cox. You have my support.
“Support” of what? A public official’s freedom to choose not perform a time honored civic function?
I am curious to hear if Mayor Cox provided a reason for why she stopped performing ceremonies in February?