Gay Soldier Joins Effort To Overturn Ohio's Same-Sex Marriage Ba - WCMH: News, Weather, and Sports for Columbus, Ohio

A gay U.S. soldier who was booed during a Republican presidential debate in 2011 has joined the effort to overturn Ohio's ban on same-sex marriage. Leaders of FreedomOhio, a group seeking a reversal of the ban, said Friday that Stephen Snyder-Hill will help lead outreach efforts.

Snyder-Hill had asked the GOP candidates in 2011 if they would reinstate the ban on openly gay troops.

In a videotaped question, Snyder-Hill asked, "In 2010 when I was deployed to Iraq, I had to lie about who I was because I'm a gay soldier and I didn't want to lose my job. My question is – under one of your presidencies, do you intend to circumvent the progress that's been made for gay and lesbian soldiers in the military."

He was booed for the question, which he recorded while deployed in Iraq.

"I thought that the question needed to be asked," Snyder said.

By asking the question during the debate, Snyder-Hill revealed to the public and the military that he was gay. Snyder-Hill said the Army was very supportive. "I got nothing but an outpouring of support. Not one person came out and said anything negative."

FreedomOhio wants to overturn the 2004 state constitutional amendment that banned gay marriage.

Supporters started collecting signatures last year to place their own constitutional amendment on the ballot either later this year or in 2014.The measure would not require churches and other religious institutions to perform or recognize a marriage.