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PA Governor says gay marriage not likely in his state
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by Susan Marie Kovalinsky | January 11, 2010 at 04:33 pm
394 views | 26 Recommendations | 4 comments
Now that New Jersey's Senate defeated the same-sex marriage bill last week, after similar legislation failed to pass New York's upper chamber, Pennsylvania Governor Rendell says he doesn't expect to see gay marriage any time soon in his state, either.
Although proponents of gay marriage have rallied in Harrisburg this past summer, many believe the momentum has left the movement due to the downturn which began with the referendum in November in the state of Maine, Question One, which repealed gay marriage there.
PA Governor Rendell says he believes strengthening civil unions is what gay advocates ought to be setting their sights on. He added that he does not believe gay marriage is supported by the Commonwealth.
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.
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caj1
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Hugh Askew
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
Redwater, Alberta, Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (4)
at 18:19 on January 11th, 2010
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. r4 ds spy pen
at 20:25 on January 11th, 2010
Yes, and don't you find that sort of presumptuous of him? Speaking for the entire commonwealth? And what does rural have to do with it in the 21st century? He has really annoyed me.
at 21:20 on January 11th, 2010
HIGreat information and the momentum has left the movement due to the downturn which began with the referendum in November in the state of Maine, Question One, which repealed gay marriage there.
at 00:57 on January 12th, 2010
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. r4 ds spy pen