Judge Orders Ohio to Recognize Gay Marriage on Man's Death Certificate

Couple had been together for 18 years

A recently deceased gay Ohio man must be listed on his death certificate as married and his husband must be listed as his spouse despite Ohio's gay marriage ban, a federal judge has ordered.

Judge Timothy Black's order Tuesday came just hours after attorneys asked him to rule quickly so that William Herbert Ives, 54, is listed as married on his death certificate before being cremated on Wednesday.

"On this record, there is insufficient evidence of a legitimate state interest to justify this singling out of same-sex married couples given the severe and irreparable harm it imposes on David Michener," Black wrote, pointing out that the request was made "to bring closure to the family in a manner that respects their marriage."