PA State Senator Introduces Gay Marriage Bill
A Pennsylvania Senator has announced a bill to legalize gay marriage in the state – a week after another State Senator announced a bill to constitutionally ban it.
Senator Daylin Leach from Southeastern Pennsylvania announced the bill on Wednesday. He says it makes no sense to reconsider a Civil Unions bill, which was talked about in 2007.
Leach: “There is absolutely no rational reason in my view that same sex couples should not get married … should not have the same rights … I don’t know why some sort of ‘marriage light’ or second class citizenship should be imbued upon same-sex couples.”
Leach’s announcement comes just days after Republican Senator John Eichelberger announced a bill to ban gay marriage in the state constitution. Pennsylvania law already bans gay marriage, but Eichelberger says that law could be overturned by a court.
Leach says Eichelberger is on the wrong side of history.
Leach: “Ultimately it will happen. If you come back to earth 20 years from now, it’s going to be like interracial marriage. We’re going to not believe that this was ever illegal or that this was ever controversial.”
Although Pennsylvania’s Senate is controlled by the GOP, Leach says there are a fair number of moderate Republicans who could be persuaded to support his measure.
Pennsylvania’s legislative sessions run for two years, so neither Leach or Eichelberger’s bills will expire until November of 2010.
-Aaron McQuade
