by KYW’s Tony Romeo
The Pennsylvania House has voted in favor of amending the state constitution to ban gay marriage. But the measure is still a long way from becoming law in the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania law already bans same-sex marriage, but supporters, including Rep. Scott Boyd (R-Lancaster County), say they want a ban in the state constitution to prevent a court from overturning the law:
“Because no formal case has been filed to date does not mean the exposure for Pennsylvania is less real or less imminent.”
But James Roebuck (D-Philadelphia) is among those who oppose the amendment:
“As an African-American citizen of this nation, I am grateful that we have courts that challenge laws that were wrong.”
The proposed amendment would also prohibit state, local, and county governments from legally recognizing unions of same-sex or unmarried heterosexual couples.
Before the constitutional amendment is approved, it must pass the state Senate, then both chambers of the legislature again in the next session that begins in 2007 before going before voters in a statewide referendum.
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