A Belmont County woman ousted as a Cub Scout den leader because she is a lesbian has joined the effort to overturn the state's ban on same-sex marriage.

Leaders of pro-gay-marriage group FreedomOhio said Jennifer Tyrrell, of Bridgeport, will help with its outreach efforts.

Tyrrell was removed as den leader last April. She said she knows the feeling of having rights denied.

FreedomOhio wants to overturn the 2004 state constitutional amendment banning 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 wouldn't require churches and other religious institutions to perform or recognize gay marriages.

The amendment banning gay marriage was supported by 62 percent of Ohio voters at the time.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

March 14, 2013: Boy Scouts of America sends out survey on gay ban

Jan. 28, 2013: Jennifer Tyrrell talks about Boy Scouts reconsideration of longstanding policy

June 7, 2012: Boy Scouts of America stand by anti-gay policy  

May 30, 2012: Support grows for gay mom ousted as Boy Scout leader; 284,000 petitions presented at Scout's annual meeting in Fla.