Latest news with #Ohioan
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Monday's Campaign Round-Up, 6.2.25: Abigail Spanberger hits the airwaves in Virginia race
Today's installment of campaign-related news items from across the country. * With 22 weeks to go in Virginia's closely watched gubernatorial race, former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger has launched her first television ad of the election cycle. Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears has already launched two ads for her own. * In Alabama, with Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville forgoing re-election to run for governor, the GOP field to run for his Senate seat is growing. State Attorney General Steve Marshall threw his hat into the ring late last week. * In Michigan's gubernatorial race, the Democratic Governors Association Victory Fund began airing an ad last week targeting Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who was elected as a Democrat but is now running as an independent. * Amid speculation about the Democrat's possible presidential ambitions, Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut is launching the American Mobilization Project, a new political action committee focused on opposing the Republican agenda. * Annie Andrews, a Democratic pediatrician who ran for Congress unsuccessfully in 2022, kicked off her first U.S. Senate campaign last week, hoping to take on Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham in his 2026 re-election race. * While Politico reported last week that former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown was unlikely to run again for the Senate, the Ohioan's spokesperson soon after said the report was 'untrue,' adding that Brown 'is considering all his options and hasn't ruled anything out.' * And while June tends not to be an especially busy month for elections, Bolts magazine published a rundown of the races worth watching this month, starting with gubernatorial primaries in New Jersey next week. This article was originally published on
USA Today
a day ago
- Politics
- USA Today
10 years after the Supreme Court protected same-sex marriage, a man at the heart of the case looks back
10 years after the Supreme Court protected same-sex marriage, a man at the heart of the case looks back Ten years after the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage, Ohioan Jim Obergefell worries the decision could be at risk. Here is what he has to say Show Caption Hide Caption Ohio's Jim Obergefell on gay marriage Supreme Court win and what's next Ten years ago, Ohioan Jim Obergefell catapulted into the national spotlight as the man who took gay marriage to the U.S. Supreme Court and won the right for millions of people like him and his husband. Jim Obergefell and John Arthur, an Ohio couple, married in Maryland in 2013 due to Ohio's same-sex marriage ban. Their case, *Obergefell v. Hodges*, led to the 2015 Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. Obergefell reflects on the decision's 10th anniversary, expressing concern about current threats to LGBTQ+ rights. In 2013, Jim Obergefell and John Arthur flew on a medical jet to exchange vows in Maryland where same-sex marriage was legal at the time. With Arthur in hospice care for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, time was slipping away for the couple, and their home state of Ohio prohibited same-sex marriage. Days after their tarmac wedding, civil rights attorney Al Gerhardstein showed them a blank death certificate. More: After 775K gay marriages, Americans are still fighting for rights 10 years later "Do you guys understand that when John dies, his last record as a person will be wrong here, where it says marital status at the time of death?" Gerhardstein told them. "Ohio will say John was unmarried. And Jim, your name will not be here, where it says surviving spouse name." Broken hearted and angry at the idea of not being recognized by their home state, Arthur and Obergefell told Gerhardstein, yes, they wanted to do something about it. Arthur didn't live to see the fruits of that decision: On June 26, 2015 in a 5-4 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, the U.S. Supreme Court decided states must allow for same-sex marriages and must recognize those solemnized in other states. Obergefell and his husband John Arthur were at the center of the U.S. Supreme Court case that legalized gay marriage in 2015. Arthur died in October 2013 at the age of 48. Obergefell, now 58, splits his time on multiple projects: a wine business, speaking engagements, promotion of a new book, helping a local equality nonprofit and more. The following is a question and answer session with Obergefell, reflecting on the 10-year anniversary of the same-sex marriage ruling and the state of LGBTQ+ rights today. It has been edited for clarity and brevity. Question: Ten years ago, you were in the courtroom on June 26 when U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy read the decision summary. What was your reaction? Obergefell: Initially I thought "we won" but it's legal writing, which isn't incredibly clear to non-lawyers, but then it sunk in, "Yeah, Jim, you won." And I burst into tears, and I could hear people around the courtroom sobbing. My first thought was, "John, I wish you were here. I wish you could experience this. I wish you could know that our marriage cannot be erased." What I wasn't expecting to feel was this realization that for the first time in my life as an out gay man, I felt like an equal American. Question: The decision changed the lives of millions of Americans. How do you feel about that now, 10 years later? Obergefell: Being part of the plaintiffs who took the fight to marriage equality to the Supreme Court has been an amazing experience. When people find out who I am or recognize me, they'll stop and hug me, shake my hand, tell me stories, show me photos of their loved ones. I've had people come out to me. One woman told me if it weren't for the decision, she would've committed suicide because she never saw a future for herself. I've had the joy of officiating almost 30 weddings since decision day. And John's been gone almost 12 years but I get to talk about him again and again. Question: You've experienced an outpouring of love and support. Have you also encountered hate? Obergefell: I have not been subjected to outright hate in public but I'm worried that may change. Other plaintiffs in the case have had bad experiences. I have not. The only explanation I can give is that our story is one of love and loss and most people can relate to losing someone they loved. I also made the decision early on to never read comments on the internet. Question: Do you feel like a historic figure or hero? Obergefell: My name is on a landmark Supreme Court decision, so I know I'm part of history. I still remember when my niece texted me a photo of her high school textbook with the story of "Obergefell v Hodges." I don't feel like a hero. John and I simply found ourselves facing a simple question: Were we willing to fight for what we believed in and to fight to exist? And to me, that wasn't a brave decision. That was an obvious decision. John deserved to die with an accurate death certificate, and we deserved to be seen by the state we call home. Question: How do you feel about same-sex marriage in America now, given the current political climate? Obergefell: Ten years after the decision, I never thought I would be worried about marriage equality continuing as a right in our nation. We have two sitting Supreme Court justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, who said they want to overturn Obergefell. And Clarence Thomas mentioned other cases that are important to the queer community, including Lawrence versus Texas, which overturned anti-sodomy laws. We have state legislatures passing resolutions urging the court to overturn the case. So, 10 years later, I'm worried about marriage equality because there are people who refuse to let it lie. I just honestly don't understand why. How has any queer marriage ever impacted a straight marriage? It hasn't. Question: Ohio's defense of marriage act remains in state law and the state constitution. Why do you think Ohio lawmakers never removed those? Obergefell: It's understandable that a lot of people think the court decision invalidated those laws. But we live in a time when the Supreme Court no longer believes in the bedrock principle of precedence. They overturned Roe versus Wade, which had been precedent for 49 years. Marriage equality has been here for 10 years. It is at risk. Question: Rick Hodges served as the Ohio Department of Health director at the time during Gov. John Kasich's administration. His name is on the other side of Obergefell v Hodges. What is your relationship with Hodges? Obergefell: People assume that the person on the other side of a case is an adversary. I love sharing the fact that Rick Hodges and I are friends. We do events together, speak together, do press conferences together. We met in 2016 over coffee and one of the first things he said was "I've never been happier to lose something." As health director, he took an oath to uphold Ohio law but he was on our side the entire time. Question: After you won at the federal district court, then Gov. John Kasich and then Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine appealed the case to the 6th District Court of Appeals. How do you feel about Kasich and DeWine? Obergefell: It's fair to say that there is no love lost between John Kasich, Mike DeWine and myself. DeWine as governor has done some things I've approved of but then he does other things that harm the LGBTQ+ community. Question: What is your message to Gov. DeWine today? Obergefell: I'd like to remind you that everyone in our community are human beings, deserving of the same human rights and civil rights as any other person in this state. I ask you to push back against the hateful legislation that arrives on your desk. It's your duty to look out for all of us, and that includes people you might not personally like. We deserve to live our lives on equal footing with others in the state. Stop bowing down to the extremists in the state legislature, push back on the harmful, hateful legislation that comes from that body. Stand up. Have some principles and actually make decisions that are based on facts, reality and science instead of lies and half truths made up to target and marginalize communities. That is your duty as a governor. Question: There is a backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion, LGBTQ rights and against transgender Americans. Where do you think it's leading? Obergefell: It's leading this nation to a White Christian fascist state. We are heading backward in time instead of forward. We are going back to a time when people of color and queer people weren't considered human beings. You're passing laws and doing things that tell us we are not human beings. That is not what this nation is about. Our founding documents starts with "we the people." And the people means all of us, not just White, straight Christians. Question: Following the Obergefell decision, polls showed increased support for same sex marriage but then opponents of LGBTQ rights seemed to shift their focus to transgender Americans. Why? Obergefell: Over those first few years, marriage equality became a normal part of life for millions of people across the country. Their neighbors, their friends, their family members, their coworkers, they were seeing queer marriages happen. People opposed to marriage equality realized they lost that fight but still didn't like the queer community. So they decided to attack the most vulnerable part of the LGBTQ+ community, the trans community. They've been successful in turning trans people into the boogeyman, into these dangerous people when nothing could be further from the truth. They just want to live their lives without fearing for their lives. Question: Do you see any turning point for the trans community in the next five to 10 years, either positive or negative? Obergefell: Every part of our community needs to fight for our trans family. We are all considered outsiders by straight society. The thing that would have an impact is if the entire LGBTQ+ community, with one voice, says the trans community is part of our family. We support them. We fight for them. They deserve every right that we enjoy, every right that the rest of society enjoys. Question: What will the future look like for LGBTQ+ Ohioans and Americans 10 years from now? Obergefell: I'm going to go with optimism. The future depends on people across the country, across Ohio, realizing that hate is not the way for this country to operate. It will take people understanding that our nation was founded on religious freedom – that doesn't mean making your particular interpretation of your particular faith foremost in everything that happens in our country. It doesn't mean you get to use your faith as a weapon or to dictate how people live their lives. So that national realization has to happen and there has to be pushback against that dangerous path that we're heading down. We also need people to vote. Question: Having your name on the Supreme Court ruling has given you a big platform. Have you been intentional about how to use it or did your approach just evolve into what we hear from you today? Obergefell: I used to say I'm an accidental activist. But then I realized John and I were quiet activists because we were open about who we are. I think because of John's health and our decision to get married, I became an activist. That really did change me profoundly. I have to keep fighting to make the world a better place for people who come after me, because, honestly, I owe it to the people who came before me, people like Edie Windsor, Frank Kameny, Harvey Milk. I want a future where a queer kid doesn't have to be afraid or wonder, well what kind of future do I have? They don't have to be terrified about being authentically themselves. So that's what I have to keep fighting for.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
2025 National Spelling Bee: Columbus eighth grader narrowly misses final
WASHINGTON D.C. (WCMH) — An eighth grader from Columbus just missed out on making the finals of the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee in D.C. Columbus-native Avinav Prem Anand, 14, is sponsored by the Blue Jackets and was able to get all the way to the ninth round but misspelled the word 'Morillon' to be eliminated. This was Anand's fourth consecutive spelling bee and his best ever finish with being tied 20th overall. The Orange Middle School student swiftly advanced to the semifinals after a long day of spelling and vocabulary questions in the quarterfinals. 2025 Memorial Tournament: Five golfers to watch for 50th edition Anand spelled 'Thrombus', 'Nappe', and 'Watteau' correctly while also defining 'prolific' and 'timbre' correctly to get to the ninth round of 35 spellers. When asked to spell 'Morillon', he spelled it 'Merillin'. 10-year-old Joseph Keffer, a fifth grader from Athens at Chesapeake Middle School, was able to advance past the preliminaries but missed out on the quarterfinals after being eliminated from the third round test. Keffer officially finished tied 100th. The National Spelling Bee finals take place Thursday night at 8 p.m. An Ohioan has not won the competition since 2010 and a central Ohio competitor has never won. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio's Jim Tressel still considering run for governor; GOP endorsement of Ramaswamy isn't a factor
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel speaking at a news conference. (Photo by Morgan Trau, WEWS.) Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel is still considering a run for governor, saying that the state GOP's endorsement of Vivek Ramaswamy won't affect his decision. The night before the Ohio Republican Party Central Committee was set to endorse a candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial primary, Tressel said that he was interested in a possible run to succeed Gov. Mike DeWine. Because he commented so late, he wasn't considered during the meeting as a candidate. Strategists have been pushing the former OSU coach to jump into the race, but he hasn't given a firm answer on what he plans to do. We asked why he decided to say he was considering a run the night before the Ohio Republican Party endorsement, and whether he thinks that endorsement will impact his decision on whether to enter the race. 'Well, I don't think an endorsement would impact, at least in my opinion, whether I would be interested in getting in the race or not,' he responded. He said that wherever he goes, he has been getting 'so many questions,' so he decided to say something. In a meeting in Columbus on May 9, the Ohio Republican Party voted 60-3 in favor of Cincinnati entrepreneur Ramaswamy over Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. In an email to supporters Friday, Yost suspended his campaign, saying that although he has worked to better Ohio for years, this is 'not a time for a family squabble.' On the Democratic side, the only candidate to announce so far is former Ohio Health Department director Dr. Amy Acton. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost suspends campaign for governor When asked his thoughts about infighting for the primary nomination, Tressel explained that he isn't experienced enough to have an opinion about 'squabbles' or what 'the party needs,' but that he is going around the state and speaking at dinners with 'enthusiasts.' 'They're thinking about this whole election cycle and their excitement and so forth, but I don't really know about whether the family squabble gobble thing,' he said. 'Every voter deserves a chance to decide what they'd like to vote for.' We asked him what his top three priorities would be as governor. After saying we stumped him, he proceeded to explain he wants to focus on the livelihood of Ohioans — similar to DeWine. 'I always hear [DeWine] talk about safety, that he wants every person to feel safe and be safe,' he responded. 'I've heard him talk every day about wanting every Ohioan to reach their God-given potential, and to me, those sound like non-negotiables. You better do darn well at those.' He emphasized that he is an 'education buff' as well. Also, he wants to make sure that veterans are supported. He spoke to reporters following an event honoring fallen soldiers. 'Education is a big deal to me, and tradition, like we had today, and remembering sacrifice, being grateful, to me, might be number one,' he said. We are awaiting a response from Ramaswamy's team for his reaction. Tressel didn't have an answer on when he would, if he does, officially announce. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
South-Western City School board joins groups denouncing gender identity, DEI and non-English languages
GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) — The South-Western City School board voted to join two organizations that promote conservative education standards, including English-only polices and formal stances against gender identity acceptance. At its April 28 meeting, the South-Western City School District school board voted to join four professional development organizations, two of which were founded by conservative Ohioans in the past five years. SWCSD is Ohio's fifth-largest school district, serving sections of southwestern Franklin County. Columbus business among best donut shops in country, according to Yelp list The SWCSD board rejoined the Ohio School Boards Association and also voted to join School Boards for Academic Excellence, the Ohio School Board Constitutional Coalition and the National School Board Leadership Council. The latter two organizations were established in Ohio, and both ask members to sign pledges that align with conservative educational policies, including statements denouncing DEI and 'gender confusion.' 'Much like the makeup of our diverse 119-square-mile district, all four organizations represent many differing perspectives and views that the Board will explore in the months to come,' SWCSD communications director Evan Debo said. The Ohio School Board Constitutional Coalition and School Boards for Academic Excellence are free to join. The Ohio School Boards Association, which SWCSD boards of education have joined for decades, costs around $11,000 annually, and the NSBLC has an annual $1,500 membership fee. The NSBLC fee is per person, and Debo said only one board member is joining on the district's dime, bringing total membership fees to $12,500. Board Vice President Denise D'Angelo Steele suggested joining the NSBLC, and the measure passed 4-0 with board member Camile Peterson abstaining. In joining, members are asked to sign an oath distancing themselves from 'social emotional teaching,' agree to combat identity politics and offer to open the district up to parental oversight in literature and curriculum decisions. Investigation alleges Kroger overcharges customers on items advertised as on sale The SWCSD board drew public scrutiny for joining the NSBLC, especially as the organization advocates for English-only education, writing 'Non-(E)nglish speaking students provide an unacceptable cost for taxpayers to bear.' According to SWCSD's website, the district is home to more than 3,800 students who are learning English as a second language, speaking 78 languages between them. 'At this time, the board is taking inventory of what each organization has to offer, to see what resources they can provide at a state and national level in terms of training, and then apply our diverse SWCS(D) lens to it to see how elements can be used to meet local needs for the 21,000+ students and families we proudly serve each day,' Debo said. According to the NSBLC website, the organization was founded by Ohioan Kelly Kohls. However, state business records list Kohls as a statutory agent for Jim Burgess, who is on the State Central Committee of the Ohio Republican Party. State business records also list a former Westerville-based nonprofit, Supporters of Youth Activities, as NSBLC's founding organization. Supporters of Youth Activities raised funds for various student organizations, but was canceled by the state for inactivity just months after the NSBLC was founded. While active, Burgess was the nonprofit's vice president. Cities in Ohio with the most UFO sightings Although joining the NSBLC drew public attention, the board also joined the conservative Ohio School Board Constitutional Coalition. OSBCC members are also asked to sign a pledge, promising to limit restroom and facility use by biological sex, teach American history in a way that enforces the 'exceptional nature of their country' and promote freedom of speech and religion. OSBCC was founded by Jeremiah Sawyer, a Republican school board member for North Royalton City Schools in northeastern Ohio. Debo stressed that joining these organizations does not mean the district will implement all — or any — of their ideas. However, these groups are one of several conservative ties to the school board. Board members Julie Lisansky and D'Angelo Steele were endorsed by Moms for Liberty during their campaigns for school board, an organization that left-leaning civil rights watchdog group Southern Poverty Law Center classifies as 'extremist.' Although Ohio school board elections are nonpartisan, the Franklin County Republican Party lists all SWSCD school board members except Peterson under current officeholders. It is not uncommon for parties to endorse school board candidates; all three Columbus City Schools board of election candidates who received the most votes in the primary were endorsed by the Franklin County Democratic Party. The district also pays attorney Omar Tarazi $9,000 each month for legal services. Tarazi has spoken against social emotional learning, including a statewide Protect Ohio Children forum in 2022. See previous coverage of Tarazi in the video player above. Elementary school students lace up for Girls on the Run 5K Debo said joining the four groups allows the school board to absorb a variety of resources, training materials and ideas. School Boards for Academic Excellence says it is nonpartisan and not politically affiliated. However, four of its five directors previously worked for conservative think tanks, and the fifth formerly served as a Republican Representative in the Kansas House. SWCSD's fourth member organization, the Ohio School Boards Association, sets a legislative platform annually, and many of its priorities are more left-leaning, including an embrace of equity programs. However, its annual legislative platform is set by delegates from each member school, and every policy inclusion must be approved by at least 75% of delegates. 'By joining any of these organizations, the board's vote for membership is not an indication of support for some or any of the positions or perspectives advanced by any of these organizations, nor does it remove any existing programming in place for students,' Debo said. On Monday at 7 p.m., more than 1,600 members of the SWCSD teachers union, joined by hundreds more parents and community members, plan to protest the board's affiliation with these groups at South Western Career Academy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
