HARRISBURG, May 27, 2009 – Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Delaware/Montgomery, today announced plans to introduce a bill that would offer full and equal marriage rights to same-sex couples in Pennsylvania. Under the new legislation, Pennsylvania would also recognize same-sex marriages conducted in other states.
Leach noted that after the recent passing of same-sex marriage legislation in New Hampshire and Maine, and the rapidly expanding list of states considering the approval of same-sex marriage, it is time for Pennsylvania to act.
“In the past few weeks, several states have legalized same-sex marriage, and many will soon follow suit,” Leach said. “There has never been a more propitious time for Pennsylvania to embrace equality and enshrine the civil right of all Pennsylvanians to marry.”
While the bill would not require religious institutions to perform any marriage ceremonies or recognize any marriages that they do not wish to sanction, Leach said his legislation would dissolve all of the barriers to building families that gay and lesbian couples currently face, both at the state and federal level.
“The alternative to legalizing same-sex marriage is retaining our current, archaic protocol which treats an entire group of citizens as second-class,” Leach said. “This protocol denies the reality of same-sex families, many of whom have children. It provides no vehicle by which society can encourage gay couples to do what it encourages straight couples to do: namely to form permanent, monogamous and committed life-long partnerships.”
Leach’s bill is currently circulating for co-sponsorship.
Please contact our local State Senator Mary Jo White to let her know we support this bill and expect her to become a co-sponsor.
Capitol Address
286 Capitol Building, Senate Box 203041
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: 717-787-8724
TTYD: 800-364-1581
Fax: 717-772-1589
Email: mwhite@pasen.gov
District Address
1140 Liberty Street
Franklin, PA 16323-1140
Phone: 814-432-4345
1 comment:
Unfortunately, Mary Jo White vehemently opposes same-sex marriages and civil unions. Regardless of the number of phone calls she receives, she will remain steadfast in her opposition. She has no reason to listen... this is her last term.
Personally, I think Sen Leach made a wonderful gesture - but at a time when it isn't practical. Too many heads will be spinning with the various states approving or disapproving gay marriage that it may cause meltdown for some who could have sided with the GLBT folks.
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