News (USA)

Pa. governor asks judge to forgo trial, rule in same-sex marriage case

Pa. governor asks judge to forgo trial, rule in same-sex marriage case

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Corbett is now asking a federal judge to decide a constitutional challenge to Pennsylvania’s law banning same-sex marriage without a trial.

Gov. Tom Corbett (R-Pa.)
Gov. Tom Corbett (R-Pa.)

Corbett’s administration, which is defending the law’s constitutionality, made the filings Monday night in federal court. That was about 10 hours after plaintiffs’ lawyers requested a decision without a trial.

Lawyers representing a widow, 11 gay couples and one of the couples’ two teenage daughters first challenged the 18-year-old law last July.

They say a trial is no longer necessary because the state’s lawyers haven’t refuted their clients’ claims about their relationships and their inability to get the same legal protection and tax benefits afforded to married couples.

Judge John E. Jones III had set a June 9 trial date. A decision isn’t expected before May 12.

Follow this case: Whitewood v. Wolf.

© 2014, Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

NOM seeks to defend Ore. gay marriage ban, questions gay judge’s impartiality

Previous article

India Supreme Court to hear curative plea on law criminalizing gay sex

Next article