Hundreds Rally In Cincinnati For Marriage Equality; Say Issue Has Been Pushed Aside In Ohio

Cincinnati's gay community expressed their opinion on the issue of civil rights at a rally Saturday afternoon on Fountain Square. The rally, reports WLWT, was in support of same sex marriage, an issue that has long been pushed aside in the state of Ohio according to protesters. "Honestly, all I want is just marriage equality in Ohio," said rally organizer Adam Hoover. Hoover said the only way to get what he and the rest of the gay community wants is by not just talking, but by doing. "I want to be able to change stuff in Ohio. I don't want to be that person that doesn't do stuff. I want to be the person that is there for everyone. No matter what I do, I just want to be there," 17-year-old Hoover said. Protesters said while same sex marriage is not on any ballot Tuesday, it's still something voters should ponder on. "It's very, very important. I think everyone deserves to be treated the same. If I can marry a man, I don't understand why another man can't marry a man," protester Stephanie Cecil said. A study conducted by the Pew Research Center showed public opinion toward gay marriage has shifted dramatically over the past 10 years. In 2001, Americans opposed same sex marriage 57-percent to 35-percent. Today, the public is just about evenly split – 46-percent opposed and 45-percent in favour. Matt Rudkin, a protester, said, "It's always going to be an issue, even if it's not on a ballot. You don't have to have it on a piece of paper to make it an issue, or to keep it on the forefront of people's minds." Hoover said even if change won't come over night, he's happy to lead the charge. "It feels amazing to be the person that's changing something," Hoover said. The hundreds of people who turned out for the rally said they hope organized events like this can eventually yield change in the state of Ohio.