::: A key committee of the Pennsylvania state senate is expected to vote tomorrow on bill that could start the process of amending the commonwealth’s constitution to define marriage as a special right of heterosexual couples, PennLive reports. The measure, proposed by Sen. John Eichelberger (R-Blair County), would add these words to the constitution: “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid and recognized as a marriage in this Commonwealth.” In a debate last June with a senator who was sponsoring a bill that would have recognized marriage equality in the state, Eichelberger said of gay people, “We’re allowing them to exist, and do what every American can do. We’re just not rewarding them with any special designation.” One blogger promises some virtual fireworks if senators vote to send Eichelberger’s proposed amendment on to the full senate. At his Pennsylvania Progressive blog, John Morgan writes, “I spend a fair amount of time in Harrisburg. I know who is closeted. Any closeted Senator who votes for Eichelberger's bill will be outed. I also know a State Senator who is wildly homophobic and is also an alcoholic. One of her rants will also be made public depending on her vote. This is fair warning.”
hattip: The Advocate
Last modified: 15 Mar 10 04:04
state_ny