Challenging Changing Legal Definitions of Family in Same-Sex Domestic Violence

This note discusses unique aspects of abuse in same-sex relationships and examines areas in which de-gendering domestic violence laws has failed to address the problems. In particular, the note analyzes Ohio's constitutional amendment limiting marriage and marital benefits to heterosexual couples. State appellate courts have invalidated the state's domestic violence law because of its violation of the amendment. The note concludes that domestic violence laws must explicitly extend their protections to intimate relationships of all types.