Case: Gibson v. Himes

1:14-cv-00347 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Filed Date: April 30, 2014

Closed Date: 2014

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On April 30, 2014, six same-sex couples filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of Ohio U.S. District Court against the State of Ohio. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, sought a declaration that Ohio laws banning same-sex marriage were in violation of the Constitution, an injunction against enforcing the ban, and an award of compensation for attorney's fees and costs. Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged that their rights to due process and equal protection had been abridged. The…

On April 30, 2014, six same-sex couples filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of Ohio U.S. District Court against the State of Ohio. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, sought a declaration that Ohio laws banning same-sex marriage were in violation of the Constitution, an injunction against enforcing the ban, and an award of compensation for attorney's fees and costs.

Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged that their rights to due process and equal protection had been abridged. The plaintiffs also alleged that they suffered harm by being denied tax and employment benefits that are available to different-sex couples, along with the social stigma of not being allowed to marry.

On April 30, 2014, the plaintiffs filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction. The plaintiffs then filed a motion for a permanent injunction and declaratory relief on June 28, 2014. However, once the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry in all states, 135 S.Ct. 2584 (2015), District Judge Michael R. Barrett entered a final judgment and declaratory judgment that the Ohio laws at issue violate the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution on May 27, 2016. The Court permanently enjoined the defendants from enforcing the state laws. The case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Megan Dolan (6/19/2014)

Eva Richardson (1/7/2019)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4363542/parties/gibson-v-himes/


Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1:14-cv-00347

Southern District of OH (U.S.)

May 27, 2016

May 27, 2016

Docket
1

1:14-cv-00347

Verified Complaint for Temporary Restraining Order and Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

April 30, 2014

April 30, 2014

Complaint
27

1:14-cv-00347

Final Judgment and Declaratory Judgment and Permanent Injunction

May 27, 2016

May 27, 2016

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4363542/gibson-v-himes/

Last updated Aug. 25, 2026, 1:45 p.m.

Docket for: Gibson v. Himes
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 April 30, 2014

COMPLAINT for Temporary Restraining Order and Declaratory and Injunctive Relief against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 400 paid - receipt number: 0648-4544302), filed by Dave Beck, Rhonda Craig, Heather Apple, Andrew Hickman, Gary Goodman, Deborah Meem, Kendra Dukes, Ethan Fletcher, Michelle Gibson, Mary K. Koehler, Karl Rece, Jr, Ronald Kastner Beck. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Branch, Jennifer) (Entered: 04/30/2014)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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RECAP
2 April 30, 2014

NOTICE of Appearance by Alphonse Adam Gerhardstein for Plaintiffs Heather Apple, Dave Beck, Ronald Kastner Beck, Rhonda Craig, Kendra Dukes, Ethan Fletcher, Michelle Gibson, Gary Goodman, Andrew Hickman, Mary K. Koehler, Deborah Meem, Karl Rece, Jr (Gerhardstein, Alphonse) (Entered: 04/30/2014)

RECAP
3 April 30, 2014

NOTICE of Appearance by Lisa Talmadge Meeks for Plaintiffs Heather Apple, Dave Beck, Ronald Kastner Beck, Rhonda Craig, Kendra Dukes, Ethan Fletcher, Michelle Gibson, Gary Goodman, Andrew Hickman, Mary K. Koehler, Deborah Meem, Karl Rece, Jr (Meeks, Lisa) (Entered: 04/30/2014)

RECAP
4 April 30, 2014

NOTICE of Appearance by Jacklyn Gonzales Martin for Plaintiffs Heather Apple, Dave Beck, Ronald Kastner Beck, Rhonda Craig, Kendra Dukes, Ethan Fletcher, Michelle Gibson, Gary Goodman, Andrew Hickman, Mary K. Koehler, Deborah Meem, Karl Rece, Jr (Martin, Jacklyn) (Entered: 04/30/2014)

RECAP
5 April 30, 2014

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction by Plaintiffs Heather Apple, Dave Beck, Ronald Kastner Beck, Rhonda Craig, Kendra Dukes, Ethan Fletcher, Michelle Gibson, Gary Goodman, Andrew Hickman, Mary K. Koehler, Deborah Meem, Karl Rece, Jr. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Exhibit 2 Sample Marriage Certificate, # 3 Affidavit Michelle Gibson, # 4 Affidavit Heather Apple, # 5 Affidavit Ronald Kastner Beck, # 6 Affidavit Andrew Hickam, # 7 Affidavit Gary Goodman, # 8 Affidavit Rhonda Craig) (Branch, Jennifer) (Entered: 04/30/2014)

1 Exhibit 1 Proposed Order

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2 Exhibit 2 Sample Marriage Certificate

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3 Affidavit Michelle Gibson

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4 Affidavit Heather Apple

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5 Affidavit Ronald Kastner Beck

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6 Affidavit Andrew Hickam

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7 Affidavit Gary Goodman

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8 Affidavit Rhonda Craig

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RECAP
6 April 30, 2014

NOTICE of Appearance by Bridget C Coontz for Defendant Lance Himes (Coontz, Bridget) (Entered: 04/30/2014)

RECAP
7 April 30, 2014

NOTICE of Appearance by Zachery Paul Keller for Defendant Lance Himes (Keller, Zachery) (Entered: 04/30/2014)

RECAP
8 May 1, 2014

NOTICE of Appearance by David Todd Stevenson for Defendant James Cissell (Stevenson, David) (Entered: 05/01/2014)

RECAP
9 May 1, 2014

NOTICE of Appearance by James Warren Harper for Defendant James Cissell (Harper, James) (Entered: 05/01/2014)

RECAP
10 May 19, 2014

ANSWER to 1 Complaint, filed by James Cissell. (Stevenson, David) (Entered: 05/19/2014)

RECAP
11 May 20, 2014

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed. Waiver sent to James Cissell on 4/30/2014, answer due 6/30/2014. (Gerhardstein, Alphonse) (Entered: 05/20/2014)

RECAP
12 May 21, 2014

ANSWER to 1 Complaint, filed by Lance Himes. (Coontz, Bridget) Modified to clarify docket text on 5/22/2014 (jlw). (Entered: 05/21/2014)

RECAP
13 June 17, 2014

REVISED AGREED CALENDAR ORDER; Answer due 5/21/14. Fact Stipulations and addition declarations due 6/18/14. Plaintiffs' Injunction Motion due by 6/18/2014. Defendants' Memorandum Contra due 8/14/14. Plaintiffs' Reply Memorandum due 8/28/14; oral argument to be determined. Signed by Judge Michael R. Barrett on 6/17/14. (ba1) (Entered: 06/17/2014)

RECAP
14 June 18, 2014

DECLARATION of Jennifer Branch in Support of 16 Motion for Declaratory Judgment and Permanent Injunctive Relief (part 1) by Plaintiffs Heather Apple, Dave Beck, Ronald Kastner Beck, Rhonda Craig, Kendra Dukes, Ethan Fletcher, Michelle Gibson, Gary Goodman, Andrew Hickman, Mary K. Koehler, Deborah Meem, Karl Rece, Jr. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A Becker declaration) (Branch, Jennifer) Modified to clarify docket text on 6/19/2014 (jlw1). (Entered: 06/18/2014)

1 Exhibit A Becker declaration

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RECAP
15 June 18, 2014

DECLARATION of Jennifer Branch in Support of 16 Motion for Declaratory Judgment and Permanent Injunctive Relief (part two) by Plaintiffs Heather Apple, Dave Beck, Ronald Kastner Beck, Rhonda Craig, Kendra Dukes, Ethan Fletcher, Michelle Gibson, Gary Goodman, Andrew Hickman, Mary K. Koehler, Deborah Meem, Karl Rece, Jr. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit B Chauncey declaration, # 2 Exhibit C Fulcher declaration, # 3 Exhibit D Grossman declaration, # 4 Exhibit E McKay declaration, # 5 Exhibit F Peplau declaration, # 6 Exhibit G Segura declaration) (Branch, Jennifer) Modified to clarify docket text on 6/19/2014 (jlw1). (Entered: 06/18/2014)

1 Exhibit B Chauncey declaration

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2 Exhibit C Fulcher declaration

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3 Exhibit D Grossman declaration

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4 Exhibit E McKay declaration

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5 Exhibit F Peplau declaration

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6 Exhibit G Segura declaration

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RECAP
16 June 18, 2014

MOTION for Permanent Injunction and Declaratory Relief by Plaintiffs Heather Apple, Dave Beck, Ronald Kastner Beck, Rhonda Craig, Kendra Dukes, Ethan Fletcher, Michelle Gibson, Gary Goodman, Andrew Hickman, Mary K. Koehler, Deborah Meem, Karl Rece, Jr. Responses due by 7/14/2014 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 Sampe marriage abstract) (Branch, Jennifer) (Entered: 06/18/2014)

1 Exhibit 1 Sampe marriage abstract

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RECAP
17 June 19, 2014

MOTION for Declaratory Judgment And Permanent Injunctive Relief And Memorandum In Support by Plaintiffs Heather Apple, Dave Beck, Ronald Kastner Beck, Rhonda Craig, Kendra Dukes, Ethan Fletcher, Michelle Gibson, Gary Goodman, Andrew Hickman, Mary K. Koehler, Deborah Meem, Karl Rece, Jr. Responses due by 7/14/2014 (Branch, Jennifer) (Entered: 06/19/2014)

RECAP
18 July 10, 2014

NOTICE of Appearance by Adam Gingold Gerhardstein for Plaintiffs Heather Apple, Dave Beck, Ronald Kastner Beck, Rhonda Craig, Kendra Dukes, Ethan Fletcher, Michelle Gibson, Gary Goodman, Andrew Hickman, Mary K. Koehler, Deborah Meem, Karl Rece, Jr (Gerhardstein, Adam) (Entered: 07/10/2014)

RECAP
19 Aug. 4, 2014

ORDER re 13 Calendar Order and 17 MOTION for Declaratory Judgment And Permanent Injunctive Relief And Memorandum In Support filed by Dave Beck, Heather Apple, Karl Rece, Jr., Deborah Meem, Gary Goodman, Andrew Hickman, Rhonda Craig, Kendra Dukes, Michelle Gibson, Ethan Fletcher, Ronald Kastner Beck, Mary K. Koehler; the calendar is stayed; plaintiff has 2 weeks following the decision by the Court of Appeals re: DeBoer and Love to supplement their motion. Signed by Judge Michael R. Barrett on 8/4/14. (ba1) (Entered: 08/04/2014)

RECAP
20 Nov. 20, 2014

Joint MOTION to Extend Stay re 17 MOTION for Declaratory Judgment And Permanent Injunctive Relief And Memorandum In Support by Plaintiffs Heather Apple, Dave Beck, Ronald Kastner Beck, Rhonda Craig, Kendra Dukes, Ethan Fletcher, Michelle Gibson, Gary Goodman, Andrew Hickman, Mary K. Koehler, Deborah Meem, Karl Rece, Jr., Defendant Lance Himes. (Branch, Jennifer) Modified to include Defendant Himes as filer on 11/20/2014 (eh1). (Entered: 11/20/2014)

RECAP
21 Nov. 20, 2014

Joint MOTION to Amend/Correct 20 MOTION to Stay re 17 MOTION for Declaratory Judgment And Permanent Injunctive Relief And Memorandum In Support, 17 MOTION for Declaratory Judgment And Permanent Injunctive Relief And Memorandum In Support by Plaintiffs Heather Apple, Dave Beck, Ronald Kastner Beck, Rhonda Craig, Kendra Dukes, Ethan Fletcher, Michelle Gibson, Gary Goodman, Andrew Hickman, Mary K. Koehler, Deborah Meem, Karl Rece, Jr. (Branch, Jennifer) (Entered: 11/20/2014)

RECAP
22 Dec. 18, 2014

ORDER granting 20 Motion to Stay/ 21 Motion to Amend/Correct until a telephone status conference set 2/18/15 at 12:30 pm; a notice to follow. Signed by Judge Michael R. Barrett on 12/18/14. (ba1) (Entered: 12/18/2014)

RECAP
23 Dec. 18, 2014

NOTICE: Please be aware that a Status Conference is set for 2/18/2015 at 12:30 PM by teleconference before Judge Michael R. Barrett; YOU MUST ACCESS THIS DOCUMENT TO OBTAIN CONFERENCING INFORMATION. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOU MUST BE LOGGED INTO CM/ECF THROUGH THE COURTS WEBSITE (NOT PACER) AT WWW.OHSD.USCOURTS.GOV USING YOUR OWN PASSWORD BEFORE RETRIEVING THIS DOCUMENT THROUGH THE NOTICE OF ELECTRONIC FILING. NOTE: You will be required to use this information each time the Court conducts a telephone conference. (ba1) (Entered: 12/18/2014)

RECAP
25 Aug. 24, 2015

Order Lifting Stay

RECAP
Aug. 27, 2015

Notice of Hearing

Aug. 28, 2015

Status Conference

26 Sept. 30, 2015

Order on Motion for TRO AND Order on Motion for Declaratory Judgment AND Order on Motion for Permanent Injunction

RECAP
27 May 27, 2016

Judgment

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Ohio

Case Type(s):

Public Benefits/Government Services

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Same-Sex Marriage

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 30, 2014

Closing Date: 2014

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The plaintiffs consist of six same-sex couples who are denied the right to marry in the state of Ohio.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State

State of Ohio

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Equal Protection

Other Dockets:

Southern District of Ohio 1:14-cv-00347

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Non-settlement Outcome

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory Judgment

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Preliminary relief request withdrawn/mooted

Issues

General/Misc.:

Marriage

Discrimination Basis:

Sex discrimination

Sexual orientation

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Female

Male

LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ+

Recommended Citation