Gay Couple Seeking Family Natatorium Membership Considers Next Steps
The Akron couple was not surprised that their membership request was denied, and has not decided whether to make a formal request to city council or the recreation board to reconsider.
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A month ago, Shane and Coty May were newlyweds seeking a discounted Natatorium gym membership. Today, they’re at the center of a heated local debate over gay marriage and whether their home town should recognize it or not.
In early January, the couple applied for a family membership at the Natatorium, they were turned down because the Parks and Recreation Board did not consider their marriage legal.
Wednesday, Cuyahoga Falls Law Director Paul Janis released a 10-page legal opinion, stating that the City Council could override the board’s authority and establish new membership categories for the fitness center, but the council isn't required to since same-sex marriage isn't recognized in Ohio.
The parks board also can create alternative membership categories if it wishes, he added.
The board will hold its monthly meeting today at 5:30 p.m. at the Natatorium. It's unclear whether the board will discuss the membership issue.
The Mays said they weren’t surprised by the news and are considering whether or not to address the city council or the board in the coming weeks.
Their marriage wasn’t considered real
After a four-year relationship, the Mays were married on Oct. 28 of last year in Washington, D.C.
Once married, they approached the Natatorium staff in early January to apply for a family-rate plan to save $260 a year.
Coty has used the exercise facility for three years to help with his rehabilitation. He served with a U.S. Army medical unit in Iraq for 18 months and suffered leg and nerve injuries when his convoy came under attack.
“We were told that our marriage was not considered real and until the state of Ohio recognized gay marriage (the Natatorium’s) systems were unable to reflect us as such,” said Shane.
After receiving the same answer from city officials, they grew frustrated, posted an online petition that drew 5,400 signatures. Then they organized a phone-in to Mayor Don Robart’s office last week to attract local and, subsequently, national attention in an attempt to convince city leaders to change the rules.
Shane and Coty say they're still trying to get used to the publicity, but they’re encouraged because the attention is a reflection of a gay rights cause that’s gaining momentum in the mainstream.
What do you think the Parks and Recreation Board should do?
If the board approves a change to include same-sex couples under the spouse membership, should the Cuyahoga Falls City Council override the decision or support it?
Earl Elevant
12:26 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
Take up a collection from the 5400 people who signed the petition and pay the difference.
Until then, gay marriage is not recognized in Ohio. Work on the state level to get it legalized and stop trying to sneak it in the backdoor on the local level. Get that changed, you'll be legal in Ohio, and you'll have a leg to stand on.
Kristina D.
9:25 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
Earl did you even read the article? This isn't about state law, it's about whether or not the Nat can or will change it's policies. There is nothing that says they CAN'T change their policy. No one is trying to sneak it in anywhere. People work very hard trying to get gay marriage legalized in ALL states, and this is simply another issue that brings that to light.
Earl Elevant
12:32 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Yes Kristina, I read it. I'm sorry you couldn't comprehend the point to my post.
Let me type slower...
- If legally married, they would have to receive the married rate.
- They can't be legally married in the state of Ohio.
- Changing the laws in the state of Ohio would make them legally married.
- Being angry at the Falls won't do anything but maybe get their picture in the news.
Not sure I can simplify it any more. Also not sure if the state would go for gay marriage either, but that's the place to fight. Not on a bench press machine.
Kristina D.
1:13 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
They may not be able to GET married in Ohio, but they were LEGALLY married in another state. No one is fighting on a bench press machine. The Mayor and the Nat were looking to see if legally they were forced to change their policy, which they are not...and I know that they're not going to change it. Things have been the same for the last 40 years, why change it now? So sorry that the venue of the protest bothers you so much. And neither of these men reached out to have news coverage of this story, the news media contacted them.
You make it sound like it's this big conspiracy, and it's not. If people never stood up for what they thought was unfair in this country...where would we be? Not everyone is going to agree on who is right on this issue, because personal beliefs are going to get in the way, but both sides have the right to bring their point to light. There is nothing barring the Nat from changing it's policy even though the State of Ohio does not recognize gay marriage.
Earl Elevant
5:20 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Polygamy may be legal in other states, but it's not legal here.
Gambling may be legal in other states, but it's not legal here.
Open containers of alcohol in motor vehicles may be legal in other states, but it's not legal here.
And, gay marriage may be legal in other states, but it's not legal here.
They're legally married in DC. Not here.
I'm sure they'd have no problem getting the married discount where they're legally married--but that's not here.
And as far as a conspiracy...well, let's just say that chipping away at the law to make it more mainstream is a backhanded way of trying to fool people into making it commonplace--so that they can then use the commonness of it as a crutch to chip away at the next level. Whether or not that's a conspiracy depends on your definition of conspiracy.
Megan Blosser
10:08 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
The Nat has no obligation to offer a discount to a gay family, but there ARE other local facilities that go beyond obligation and offer memberships to accomodate many types of families. It might seem unfair, but with no legal leg to stand on, they're not going to be able to force the Nat/Parks & Recs to give in. I realize it might seem like waving a white flag, but maybe Shane and Coty should join another gym, encourage their friends, family and supporters to do the same, and see how the Nat changes policy when the bottom line suffers.
We belong to the Y, which, while not as flashy as the Nat, does offer flexible family memberships and reciprocity at multiple locations. We've considered switching to the Nat but have heard negative things about their policies and procedures; the current battle with the Mays just solidifies our opinion that the Nat is not the right fit for our family.
Lisa Beech
3:10 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Not to be snarky, folks, but the District of Columbia is not a state with state rights. I believe that it does not have a "state" government. The mayor and his cabinet run it, as far as I know. Ppl keep stating that Ohio, a state, needs to recognize their state sanctioned marriage. Fact: DC is not a state. I mention this not to approve or disapprove of the status of their marriage, but merely to point out what is or is not a state.
Also, let's be patient and wait for the Parks and Rec Board to convene with all the members present. Policy change usually takes time and there are procedures to follow. I'm hopeful that all will be pleasantly surprised by the decisions that the board makes. As my Grams always said, "A little sugar goes a long way."
Adam C. Miller
1:45 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
With all the problems in America, why is this story on the FRONT page of the Akron Beacon Journal?!?!? I don't want to see homosexual couples or heterosexual couples for that matter kissing on the front page... It's a NEWSPAPER! There are WAY bigger issues facing our community, state, and country! Ridiculous... Next!
Shane May
3:42 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Front page on a weekday. It's not like it was the Sunday edition so calm down. And we are not kissing in the picture. I am looking at my husband as we sit behind pictures from our wedding. You know, that day when you commit yourselves to each other before friends and family and at the end kiss? Stop the press two people are kissing on their wedding day and someone took a picture of it. GASP. This issue would not be such a big deal if Don Robart did not keep putting his foot in his mouth every time he opened it as he did in this recent article: http://www.akronnewsnow.com/news/local/item/22289-commentary-robart-responds-on-nat-rates.
Adam C. Miller
1:47 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Am I the only one getting ANNOYED at this? It's a PASS at the Natatorium haha... Seriously all this for $200!?!?!? I say give them a pass and move on, but this story has really just become annoying! People need to stop getting so HYSTERICAL about a Nat pass lol
Adam C. Miller
4:36 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
C'mon Shane it's the front page of a Newspaper! I think you guys should get a pass, but front page news... GET REAL! Like I said; 'There are WAY bigger issues facing our community, state, and country!'
Shane May
5:18 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
So I am assuming you were just as equally furious with the next days front page article about a 90 year old professor still teaching? How dare they? We don't need to see that because there are bigger issues going on in the community.
Ido care
9:32 pm on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
This is a huge issue because it attacks the institute of marriage and there are some of us who still value it
Ido care
9:44 pm on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
I know that people want to change things because of their choices. Just because people choose a certain lifestyle doesn't make it right for all people. Marriage is between a man and a woman. Please be respectful when trying to push your choice on the people who do not agree. Read Genesis and see how God created people and the earth and made marriage and what a beautiful union. Please remember that just because we all don't support your choice doesn't mean we hate you...we just want to protect what God has given us.
Debbie
1:19 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
What's the big deal. Give them a family membership.
Then, we can concentrate on the real problems in our City - people breaking into cars, kids selling heroin at school, and some BS School Levy that's coming up soon. If you couldn't make the school's work with the HUGE levy passed several years ago, maybe we need to get a complete new school board who knows how to budget their money. My property tax went up 7% this year, but the property value went down 10%. Most of that money is going to the schools, which I DON'T USE. Don't tell me they're to keep up the value of our property. I think we all know that's a line of Horse Hockey! I SAY VOTE NO, and VOTE NO OFTEN! Where can I get a VOTE NO Sign for in my yard?
Frank N
2:07 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Two things. One, please remove Ido care for not using a name (in accordance with Patch policy). Secondly, before you do, "Ido care", thank you for the sermon. So where does the constitutionality of seperation of church and state come into play in your America? Are you speaking against our own Constitution? That's tyranny and as an American I will not stand for it. The problem is you can believe whatever you want. But when those beliefs effect others' basic rights, that is so basically un-American that your hypocritical stance is absurd.