Earlier, I posted that PA Senator Eichelberger introduced a bill that would amend the PA constitution to ban same-sex marriage. Pennsylvania, already has a DOMA-type law that doesn’t permit same-sex marriage, but this would go further and try to write it into the constitution. This will be the third time, such a constitutional amendment has been introduced, with the last time being in 2008. After beating this twice before, it might seem like it will be easy to beat again, but there is reason to think that this time they may get it passed, and that would be a horrible thing for Pennsylvania. While we are far from the most progressive state, it is shameful to watch some try and move the state towards the far extremes of the religious right.
What PA does in this regard is very telling, and will impact the future of the state in big ways. We are already a state where people flee for other places to live and work, and guess what? They aren’t fleeing with states that are more conservative socially! If we want to help Pennsylvania grow and thrive, we need, as a state to be focused on creating an environment that invites industry and business as well as an environment that people seek for a quality of life.
Even those opposed to same-sex marriage know, that in the end, it will be the Supreme Court that decides this issue, just as it was in terms of segregation and the schools, and interracial marriage, among other things. And in many states, it has been shown that trying to deny marriage rights based on the sex of the two partners is a violation of the state constitution or the federal constitution. So why this move now?
Pennsylvania isn’t anywhere near seeking same-sex marriage rights, in any practical way. While Daylin Leach did introduce a same-sex marriage equality bill, it only has two co-sponsors, so it isn’t going anywhere. In this regard, PA, isn’t any different than most states, where there are some people who support same-sex marriage, and others who oppose it. So, if there is no chance of same-sex marriage passing in Pennsylvania, why would our elected officials put time and energy into writing this discrimination into the state constitution?
There is no good answer to this question. Even for those legislators who oppose same-sex marriage, there is no good reason to put time, money and energy into this issue since same-sex marriage has no chance of passing here in the near future. It is a clear case of a few pushing through legislation that is unnecessary and does nothing to propel the state forward. It serves only to make a theological stand and nothing more.
No matter what they believe is their reason, anyone who wants Pennsylvania to focus on the important things like health care, jobs, education, and public safety, must come out and ask the Senate to say no to  this piece of legislation.