Rendell: gay marriage not likely in PA
Monday, January 11th, 2010
New Jersey's Senate defeated a same-sex marriage bill last week, a few months after similar legislation failed to pass New York's upper chamber.
Governor Rendell says he doesn't expect to see gay marriage any time soon in Pennsylvania, either.
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When asked whether the General Assembly could pass a gay marriage bill any time soon, Governor Rendell said "don't hold your breath."
He says Pennsylvania is essentially a "rural state," and that he doesn't think same sex marriage goes with the mores of the majority of commonwealth residents.
Democratic state Senator Daylin Leach, the legislature's top supporter of a gay marriage bill, says he disagrees.
Leach: Is it going to pass this year? Probably not. If you came back fifteen years from now will Pennsylvania still be discriminating against gays and lesbians? I don't think there's a chance in the world that's going to happen. And I think we'll wonder why this was controversial.
Rendell says the focus should be on expanding same-sex partner benefits, and passing nondiscrimination measures like House Bill 300, which is currently before the House.
Repent, Repent say all the good christian's…tell that to the people in Salem who where hung in the name of christianity..these same bizzaire interpertations of spirituallity were used to oppresse women in Iraq, Iran…oh..and the Bible belt…the thought "seperate but equal"..was Christian enough for anyone not white…what if a person is a Buddist, Quaker?…ECT…Charlene…how IS your little small spat in the universe..what poor person did you feed today, what acts of humanity did you do in the name of Christ?
I currently live in Maryland even though my heart and family are in PA. I graduated from Penn State make close to s 6 figure inco0me. I am missing my young nephew grow-up, my only surviving Aunt age 75, both of my parent have passed away. I was raised by a public school teacher and a union electician. I still bleed Black and gold..I can not return to ther state I love because it does not recgnize same-sex marriages. I am so bored with the religous reasons…this country was founded on a few basic principles, one being protecting the minority from the majority. The bible has not one thing to do with it…It takes a wise person to know when they are fighting for principles or merely defending a prejudice. It appears that many in PA are defending their prejudice's..
THANK GOD PA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE MALE+MALE, FEMALE+FEMALE MARRIAGE. MARRIAGE IS AN INSTITUTION CREATED BY GOD TO BE ENTERED INTO BY ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN. HOMOSEXUALITY IS AN ABOMINATION. REPENT BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
well as u know it does not say 1 man and 1 woman,.. check ur book. gays and lesbians are people just the same as u and i. i will bet u that at least 3 live on the same street as u. what gays and lesbians do with their lives is their business, no one elses. while ur busy telling the gay commmunity to repent i think maybe u should aswell. ALL MEN AND WOMEN ARE CREATED EQUALLY IN THE LORDS EYE!
Charlene …it takes a wise woman to know when she is fighting for principles or merely defending a prejudice…how wise are you Charlene?, you clearly do not understand the meaning of "democracy"..our elected officials put their hand on the bible an swear to up-hold the constitution..they did not put their hand on the constitution and swear to up-hold the bible
one function of a democracy is to protect the minority from the majority..we learned that back in the 1600's..in a little town called Salem, Mass.
You know Ed, if that's where you think the focus should be – then *why aren't you focusing on it*? Really. Your statements have done so much to make "the rest" of us Pennsylvanians feel like we have a voice. Insensitive, off-the-cuff statements like "don't hold your breath" do nothing to abate the suffering that so many gays and lesbians in Pennsylvania are forced to endure on a daily basis. Next time, something like "my office is watching the issue very closely" would suffice.
Civil rights and civil marriage shouldn't be put up to popular votes in America.
And good luck to attorneys Boies and Olson on their challenge to Prop 8.
Onward to equality, Joe Mustich,
Justice of the Peace,
Washington, Connecticut, USA.
As we wait for PA, NJ, and NY to enter the 21st century, couples can still come to CT to wed. So kudos to CT for supporting marriage equaliy!