First Oregon, now The Keystone State!
The law barring same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania is unconstitutional, a federal judge based in Harrisburg ruled today.
“By virtue of this ruling, same-sex couples who seek to marry in Pennsylvania may do so, and already married same-sex couples will be recognized as such in the Commonwealth,” wrote U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III.
The ruling comes in a case filed in July by 11 gay couples, two teenage children of one of the pairs and a widow. The couples include Deb and Susan Whitewood of South Fayette, Diana Polson and Dawn Plummer of Point Breeze, and Lynn and Fredia Hurdle, of Crafton Heights.
The only sad thing is that this had to be done by a court order, because the legislature made it illegal in the first place.
More here: Allegheny County isn't wasting any time!
“We are pleased that the Court is affirming the rights of all people to form a marriage union to express their commitments, form a family in the eyes of the law, and have their rights recognized," Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said in a statement. "This is what we have been advocating for quite some time and it is a day to celebrate.”
Once a couple has been issued their wedding license, at least one public official said he'd love to marry them.
"I am overjoyed by the judge's decision today, and can't wait to throw open the doors of the Mayor’s Office to honor marriages of all couples," Mayor Bill Peduto said in a statement. "I would be thrilled to make the marriage of an LGBT couple the first one I officiate as Mayor.”
Good for Fitz and Bill!