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Gay Marriage Constitutional Amendment Backers Will Wait Until 2014

The group seeking to overturn Ohio's 2004 ban on same-sex marriage says it's aiming to put the issue before voters in 2014. The announcement underscores an ongoing split over the issue with gay rights activists. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler reports.

The group Freedom to Marry has been at odds with the state’s leading gay rights group Equality Ohio over an amendment allowing same-sex marriage in Ohio – Equality Ohio has been cautious, but Freedom to Marry wants it on the ballot soon.  Freedom to Marry says in a statement that after a meeting with Equality Ohio and other national and state activists – quoting here – “We have decided to be on the ballot in 2014 to allow for a continuing dialogue with voters across Ohio about why marriage matters.” But a statement from Equality Ohio confirms that while the meeting with Freedom to Marry did happen, that there was no agreement to go forward with a ballot issue next year. Equalty Ohio’s statement says it will work to – quoting here – “increase public support so we can win on the ballot—in 2016, or if possible sooner.”