Gay Marriage Bill in PA Senate
Senator Daylin Leach of Montgomery County 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.
Senator 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,” Senator 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, Senator 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.
Senator Leach added that the state legislature cannot force a religious institution to perform a marriage ceremony.
“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.”
Senator Leach’s bill is currently circulating in the state Senate for co-sponsorship. He says he anticipates a lively and contentious debate over his proposed measure.
Under the new legislation, Pennsylvania would also recognize same-sex marriages conducted in other states.
Senator 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,” Senator 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, Senator 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.
Senator Leach added that the state legislature cannot force a religious institution to perform a marriage ceremony.
“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.”
Senator Leach’s bill is currently circulating in the state Senate for co-sponsorship. He says he anticipates a lively and contentious debate over his proposed measure.
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Comments
I say if they pass this, we need to know everyone that voted yes to this Bill and Vote them out of office!!!!!! Marriage is a Man and a Woman, Or a Woman and a man, If they pass the Bill then look out there no way to even stop the Man that want 2 or 5 wifes, It's the same thing, This Bill needs VOTED DOWN, and the guy that wrote the Bill voted out!!!!!