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Contact: Jake Kaskey, Equality Advocates Pennsylvania, (215)
731-1447 x14
Andy Hoover, ACLU-PA, (717) 236-6827 x13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 27, 2009

Civil Rights Coalition Commends State Senator’s Marriage
Proposal

(Harrisburg) Civil rights organizations across Pennsylvania
today commended Pennsylvania State Senator Daylin Leach for his
intention to introduce legislation that would grant full
marriage equality to same-sex couples. The Value All Families
Coalition praised Senator Leach’s longstanding dedication to the
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, calling the
proposed legislation an inspiring glimpse into the future of
equality for all Pennsylvania couples.

“We absolutely look forward to the day when all Pennsylvania
families can enjoy the same benefits and protections under the
law that heterosexual couples currently have,” said Jake Kaskey,
policy and outreach coordinator of Equality Advocates
Pennsylvania. “We are grateful for all of the work that Senator
Leach has done on behalf of the LGBT community over the years
and look forward to seeing full equality reached for all LGBT
people.”

Senator Leach’s decision to introduce an inclusive marriage bill
comes as other states, including Iowa and Maine, pass same-sex
marriage legislation and one day after California’s Supreme
Court upheld Proposition 8, an amendment to California’s
constitution prohibiting marriage between same-sex couples. It
also comes at a time when the Pennsylvania House of
Representatives is debating House Bill 300, legislation to
protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pennsylvanians
from discrimination in employment, housing and public
accommodations.

“Gay and lesbian couples deserve the same rights and
responsibilities as all other married couples across
Pennsylvania,” said Andy Hoover, legislative director of the
American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania. “We look forward
to demonstrating the need to recognize every relationship across
Pennsylvania.”

Senator Leach’s proposed legislation, which is currently
circulating for co-sponsorship, was announced just days after
another state senator, John Eichelberger (R-Blair), announced
his intent to introduce a constitutional amendment that would
ban same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania.

Numerous studies have shown that states that grant marriage
equality to all couples receive significant economic benefits.
The New York City Comptroller issued a report this week
declaring that marriage equality for LGBT couples in New York
would garner the state an additional $210 million in revenue in
the first three years.

The Value All Families Coalition is comprised of diverse
statewide, regional, and local organizations that support
equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
Pennsylvanians.