toledoblade.com --

Suzanne Grime stood in front of the Lucas County Courthouse yesterday, chilled by the rain, so that those headed to get marriage licenses on Valentine’s Day would remember her face.

She wanted them to see that gay and lesbian couples were people too. And she wanted them to think of that the next time they went to the polls.

For the third consecutive year, a gay couple was turned away by the county’s marriage license bureau on one of the busiest days of the year. Meanwhile, outside the courthouse, Ms. Grime, 31, of Toledo and about 30 others gathered to spread awareness about the fight of gay and lesbian couples to achieve equality in marriage.

“It isn’t anything we should have to ask for,” she said of the right to marry. “But fear and hatred go hand in hand, and that keeps us from being able to go hand in hand.”

In November, the issue of same-sex marriage became a hot topic as voters in 11 states considered whether to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. In all 11 states — Ohio, Michigan, Utah, Oregon, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Montana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, and Arkansas — the issue passed.

That prompted members of Toledo NOW, the northwest Ohio chapter of the National Organization for Women, to organize a demonstration outside the courthouse yesterday to inform the dozens of heterosexual couples on their way to be married.

Partners Michelle and Kristi of Toledo spent their lunch hour outside the courthouse because they personally have felt what they refer to as an “injustice.” The couple have been together 14 years, have a 4-year-old son, and had a civil union ceremony in Vermont.

But, according to state law, the women do not have the legal rights and opportunities a heterosexual couple have.

“That’s what it’s all about, love,” said Kristi, who declined to give her last name for fear of retribution at her job. “It’s legal recognition of love, no matter what the gender is.”

To prove the point clearly, Tom Meinecke and his partner, John — who legally changed his name to Meinecke — arrived at the courthouse to apply for a marriage license. For the third year, they were told Ohio does not recognize same-sex marriages.

“The State of Ohio requires everyone to pay taxes but not to be treated equally,” Tom Meinecke said. “Because I don’t love a female and I love a male, I’m discriminated against.”

The marriage bureau granted 72 licenses yesterday as people areawide decided to make their Valentine’s Day memorable.

Verna Wilson, 49, and Daniel Carthane, 45, came from Pontiac, Mich., knowing that yesterday was “a special day.” Because each had been married before, they said they decided to start their new life together with little fanfare.

“Why not do it quick if you know you’re going to do it, especially when you find your soul mate? Because this is it for me. I’m done now,” Mr. Carthane said.

Charles Clark, 25, cradled his 2-month-old baby, Ryan, in his arms as he and fiancee Angela Sopko, 24, gave all the information needed for a marriage license. The couple emerged from the marriage bureau just after noon but weren’t ready just yet to exchange rings with one of the ministers on hand.

Instead, they went home so Miss Sopko could get her wedding dress — the proper attire for when she was to say “I do” — and returned later in the day.

“She wanted to get married on Valentine’s Day so the whole world could share our wedding with us,” Mr. Clark said.

Contact Erica Blake at:eblake@theblade.comor 419-724-6076.

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