HARRISBURG, March 16, 2010 – State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Delaware/Montgomery) announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning defeated a bill that would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman only.
Senate Bill 707, introduced by Sen. John Eichelberger (R-Blair) was defeated by an 8-6 vote. Leach said he is pleased that the bill will not come up for a vote before the Judiciary Committee.
“I believe that Senate Bill 707 is the antithesis of what Pennsylvanians need and want, and I am happy that the majority of my colleagues agree with me,” Leach said. “To support a bill that so clearly discriminates against an entire group of people is simply unconscionable and irresponsible.”
Earlier this session, Leach introduced Senate Bill 935, a measure that would provide for marriage equality in Pennsylvania. Under the bill, Pennsylvania would also recognize same-sex marriages conducted in other states. 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.
“The case for same-sex marriage is simple. The state and federal government confer hundreds of benefits on married couples that are unavailable to single people. This encourages marriage, which benefits society. We should be doing with gay couples what we do with straight couples: encouraging them to enter permanent, monogamous, stable, legally recognized unions,” Leach said.
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