So if you're a gay couple in Pennsylvania, you can at least get married in Montgomery County:
http://www.politicspa.com/...
Another front has opened in the battle over same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania. Montgomery County Register of Wills Bruce Hanes said Tuesday that he will issue marriage licenses to any same-sex couple that requests one.
“Based upon the advice of [my solicitor], my own analysis of the law and mindful of the Attorney General’s belief that Pennsylvania’s marriage laws are unconstitutional, I decided to come down on the right side of history and the law, and was prepared to issue a license,” to a same-sex couple that had contacted him, Hanes said in a press release.
Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced this month that she will not defend the state’s ban on same-sex marriages, which is being challenged in court by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Hanes’ announcement adds to the murky legal questions surrounding the issue in Pa. and nationwide. - Politics PA, 7/23/13
And State Senator and congressional candidate, Daylin Leach (D. PA-13), was one of the first people to issue a marriage license to a gay couple in Montgomery County:
http://www.politicspa.com/...
State Senator Daylin Leach jumped head first Monday into the debate over the recent announcement by Montgomery County Register of Wills Bruce Hanes that he will issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Leach officiated the marriage ceremony of two women earlier Monday.
“I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to officiate the marriage of a wonderful, loving couple this afternoon in Montgomery County,” Leach said. “Today’s ceremony proves that little by little, we are making strides toward full equality here in Pennsylvania. Each court ruling and each supportive decision made by elected officials puts another crack in the armor of discrimination. Today’s ceremony shows that love can indeed conquer all.”
Leach has long been a supporter of same-sex marriage and LGBT rights. He introduced the first bill in the state Senate to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010. - Politics PA, 7/29/13
More below the fold.
Here's a little more info about the ceremony Leach was part of today:
http://brynmawr.patch.com/...
According to Leach's office, the Montgomery County Democrat presided over a same-sex marriage ceremony on Monday at Talamore Golf Club in Ambler. Leach, chair of the LGBT caucus, is a registered officiant with Universal Life Church.
“Today’s ceremony proves that little by little, we are making strides toward full equality here in Pennsylvania. Each court ruling and each supportive decision made by elected officials puts another crack in the armor of discrimination. Today’s ceremony shows that love can indeed conquer all,” the state Senator said after officiating the marriage between Sarah and Marcia Martinez-Helfman.
Leach, according to his office, had plans to perform a second ceremony Monday night. - Bryn Mwar-Gladwyne Patch, 7/29/13
Leach has long been a strong advocate for LGBT rights and marriage equality. In fact, Leach tried to push through a marriage equality bill through the PA state Senate:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
A bill introduced by Pennsylvania state Senator Daylin Leach, a Democrat from Wayne, that would provide full marriage rights for same-sex couples in the state was referred to a committee in March and never had a hearing. The Senate recessed last week and won’t return until September.
State Representative Brian Sims, the Philadelphia Democrat who became the first openly gay member elected to the Pennsylvania chamber last year, plans to introduce a similar bill, said his district coordinator, Tim Keller, today.
The ACLU is seeking a ruling that Pennsylvania’s marriage law is unconstitutional and an injunction against denying same-sex couples the right to marry.
The case is Whitewood v. Corbett, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania (Harrisburg). - Bloomberg, 7/9/13
Equality PA is working to make same-sex legal in Pennsylvania. You can sign up with their organization here:
http://www.equalitypa.org/
Leach is leading in fundraising in his crowded primary to succeed Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D. PA-13) as she pursues her bid to unseat Governor Tom Corbett (R. PA) next year. Lets send another LGBT ally to Congress next year. You can click her to donate or sign up with Leach's campaign:
http://votedaylin.com/