Gay Marriage Cases in Ohio Draw Activists

Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 1 MIN.

A 61-year-old Michigan man who says he wants to show that gay couples share the same values as heterosexual ones has camped out overnight outside a federal courthouse in Cincinnati to secure a courtroom seat for oral arguments over bans on same-sex marriage in his home state and three others.

Frank Colasonti (COHL'-uh-sahn-tee) Jr. of Birmingham, Michigan, obtained a courtroom spectator ticket Wednesday morning nearly six hours before the scheduled afternoon start of arguments before a three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Colasonti says he and his partner of 26 years married this year.

He was among a handful of people at the courthouse before it opened. Hundreds on both sides of the issue are expected for rallies and prayers vigils during the arguments.


by Jason St. Amand , National News Editor

This story is part of our special report: "Gay Marriage". Want to read more? Here's the full list.

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