Pennsylvania Gay Marriage Legislation Introduced

Pennsylvania state Sen. Daylin Leach introduced legislation to legalize marriage for gay and lesbian couples. He announced on Good Day Philadelphia that he has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday afternoon in order to increase support for the bill. 

Currently, law in Pennsylvania define marriage as “a civil contract by which one man and one woman take each other for husband and wife.” Senate Bill 935 would update that definition to “a civil contract between two people who enter into matrimony.” 

Senate Bill 935 has been referred to the state Senate Judiciary Committee. Only one local co-sponsor has signed on, Sen. Jim Ferlo. Under the bill, no religious sect will be required to perform or endorse same-sex marriages. 

To date, six states have legalized same-sex marriage. Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Iowa permit the marriages now. Vermont and Maine will begin in September, and New Hampshire will begin on New Year’s Day. New York and the District of Columbia recognize the marriages from other states but do not permit new ones.