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A Pennsylvania lawmaker has introduced a bill that would amend the state Constitution to define marriage as “the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife.”
The amendment, introduced in the state House by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), would also state that “no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.”
Metcalfe said the institution of marriage is under attack.
“This not only includes the special interests who want to permanently redefine marriage,” said Metcalfe, “but unfortunately the executive branch and the federal Department of Justice have blatantly and recklessly refused to uphold and defend its constitutionality.”
Metcalfe is referring to the Feb. 23 announcement by the Obama administration that at least one part of DOMA — Section 3 — will not be able to pass constitutional muster, and that the Justice Department will not defend that part of the law in two pending cases in the federal court.
“Representative Metcalfe has introduced a bill that would divide us, goes against the growing majority of Americans’ beliefs on equal rights under law and would drive jobs and people out of Pennsylvania,” said State Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) in a statement.
The bill to amend the Pennsylvania constitution would have to be approved in two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly before being put to voters in a ballot referendum.
A similar amendment is currently being considered in Minnesota.
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Filed under: Pennsylvania
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I’m ahamed of my home state.
That is an abomination.
My day just gets worse and worse. I’m ashamed to be from here…
What a shame!! So much energy and resources are waisted in the name of fighting gay marriage!! People wake up..stop fighting us
Legalizing same-sex marriage would be a huge boon to the economy of Pennsylvania!
PA, I’m upset with you. Totally upset.
I’m shaking “my gay finger” at PA!
this is so sad & upsetting – unfortunately, I live in state where they have already done this :-( so hurtful
Someone explain to me why USA is a free country when not everyone is free at all?
Free speech? Nope. TN state made it illegal for teachers to mention homosexuality. So much for freedom.
Freedom of religion? Nope. They’re trying too hard to put religion in politics when not everyone shares that same religion.
When are people going to learn? Marriage is no longer between a man and a woman.
It’s between two people that love each other.
Sounds like a dubious co-migling of church and state… Hmmmm.
If the institution of marriage is under attack it is by straight couples who take their rights for granted.
This is nothing new. It happens every day. Some legislator at some state legislature or even in Congress is always trying to introduce anti-gay legislation and they’re not ashamed of it. In their head they are right and all of us who disagree with them should not count. In their head they’re doing the right thing.
That’s the kind of country the USA is folks: evil, bigoted, deeply homophobic, and dumb as hell. Glad you’re finally realizing that all those tales they told you about the greatness of this country are just that: TALES. Life hurts in a society where you are the oppressed minority and you don’t get a slice of that “greatness” pie.
That being said, the choices are obvious: you can spend your life in this country and hoping that things will change in your lifetime, or you can life the rest of your life in another, more gay-friendly and less dumb country.
Yea yea yea, it’s not all that hopeless and we should never give up. WHATEVER! I’ve only got one life to live and I sure as hell don’t plan to spend it trying to earn something that most straight people (and gay people in other countries) take for granted every day.
I’m beginning to think that these so called “law makers” are being pimped to introduce this trash.
Dear PA, I am disappointed…. :(
This is frustrating because I grew up in the county Metcalf represents. Come on Butler County, vote this guy out of office already! Everyone has a right to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. We need laws that guarantee everyone receives those rights, not politicians who would take them away.
If you live in PA, call your state representative and let them know you want them to oppose this amendment. If your representative already opposes this amendment call to thank them. It does help! Here’s a link to find your representative:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/