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Pennsylvania law defines marriage as “a civil contract by which one man and one woman take each other for husband and wife”. On June 5, PA Sen. Daylin Leach, D-King of Prussia, introduced Senate Bill 935, to change that definition to “a civil contract between two people who enter into matrimony.” Under the bill, no religious sect will be required to perform or endorse same-sex marriages.
The bill was referred to the state Senate Judiciary Committee. So far, Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Lawrenceville, is the only local co-sponsor. Leach plans to hold a press conference on Wednesday, July 8, to announce the introduction. So now, the national debate has come home.
“Marriage” confers certain rights and responsibilities upon spouses. They include tax, property, inheritance, family, insurance, and survivor benefits, as well as next-of-kin status in medical and emergency situations. There is no standard definition of “civil union” or “domestic partnership”. Each regulation, statute, or contract pertaining to those terms defines them differently.
The legal debate centers around two constitutional amendments. The Tenth Amendment gives the states all powers not specifically granted to the federal government. However, the Fourteenth Amendment specifically guarantees equal protection of the law to all persons. And that includes the equal protection of marriage, regardless of gender.
To date, six states have legalized same-sex marriage. Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Iowa permit the marriages now. Vermont and Maine will begin in September, and New Hampshire will begin on New Year’s Day. New York and the District of Columbia recognize the marriages from other states but do not permit new ones.
Opponents of same-sex marriage are beside themselves. They moan and wail about the corruption of marriage and declare that it will ruin civilized society. We’ve seen all of this before. I remember when society frowned upon “mixed” marriages between partners of different ethnic backgrounds, religions, and even political parties. Forty years ago, interracial marriage was scandalous.
Obstructionists predicted that every change would destroy us. And yet, here we are. We all got over it. My paternal grandparents didn’t want my father to marry my mother because she’s not Irish. They got over it. Today, we rarely notice those differences. Now those marriages are quite common. And society endures.
Americans soundly rejected the notion of “separate but equal” through the Civil Rights movement. It’s time to take that legacy a step further. The time for same-sex marriage has arrived. The arguments against it are absurd and obsolete. If someone else’s marriage can cheapen yours, then yours isn’t worth much to begin with.
To read SB 935, go to www.legis.state.pa.us.
Comments
I think it's pretty clear that in a PA Senate, there's virtually zilch chance that this will become law. Just 2 Dem sponsors in a chamber that is 30-20 Republican.
Did legalization of Same Sex Marriage destroy Canada? Or South Africa? The Netherlands? Norway? Sweden? Spain? Belgium? Or have Civil Unions destroyed any of THE REST OF THE WEST THAT PERFORMS THEM? We are one of the only countries in the West to not give any form of recognition to same sex couples. This is an abomination. I really don't understand why America is so backwards on this issue? Or gun control? Or radicals who think we need to eliminate taxes?
I hope this bill passes.
The majority of people under 40 support same-sex marriage, so it is coming whether ignorant people like it or not.
The American Heterosexual and their lack of shame and embarassment over their efforts to discriminate AGAINST THE VERY GAY & LESBIAN PEOPLE THAT HETEROSEXUALS THEMSELVES CREATED is simply the most disgust display I have ever had the misfortune to witness.
I have no problem with Heterosexuals. Some of my best friends are Heterosexuals. I just do not appreciate them shoving their lifestyle down my throat.
Nor do I appreciate the group of people that brought me intop this world passing laws AGAINST me.
I would venture a guess that God does not like it, either.
And surely these Heterosexuals who abuse, degrade, dehumanize and humiliate Gays & Lesbians will be held very accountable to God for said abuse.
@Steve
Hard to say how this could go. PA has always been a bit schizophrenic when it comes to political ideology.
I think this should pass, they are so busy with the budget they might let this slide on through,, god this would be great.
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