Court Hearing Set in Ohio Gay Marriage Lawsuit

CINCINNATI - Attorneys for the state want a funeral director removed from a lawsuit that seeks to have gay marriages recognized on Ohio death certificates despite a statewide ban.

They're expected to argue in federal court in Cincinnati on Wednesday that Ohio's ban on gay marriage couldn't affect the constitutional rights of Cincinnati funeral director Robert Grunn, and that he should be removed from the civil rights lawsuit.

The lawsuit originally was filed on behalf of one gay couple in Cincinnati, then included another couple. Grunn's addition expanded the litigation to all gay couples in Ohio who married in other states.

Grunn told The Associated Press that he wants to do what's right and that married gay couples should be recognized as such on death certificates.