Rendell: gay marriage not likely in PA

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.

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.

Listen:
[audio: 100108SDMARR.mp3]

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.