ADignorantium

gaywrites:

Stephen Hill and Joshua Snyder were legally married in Washington, D.C. about a year ago. But when they went to a courthouse in their home state of Ohio recently to get their last names hyphenated together, they found the process harder than expected.

Snyder and Hill were pulled aside at the courthouse and told to lie on their name change applications, because they would be denied if they listed “marriage” as the reason for their name change. They refused to lie. 

Hill served in the military for 20 years under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell - he’s the soldier Republicans booed after he asked at a debate whether candidates would reinstate the policy. He says he didn’t want to lie about who he is anymore, and as a result, it will be much more complicated for he and his husband to change their names:

A news report about the couple’s request for a name change added to the anticipation for today’s hearing. A judge heard their request today but opted not to issue a decision, instead promising to mail it to them. Changing a last name in Ohio would require a 10-page application, printing their names in the newspaper, $138 each, and then an appearance before the judge who normally renders a verdict on whether to let the name change go forward.

It’s troubling that something as simple as a name change has to be so complicated for LGBT folks. Why oh why? 

In America, it is better to be dishonest than to be Gay. - Those are mighty fine “Family Values”.