Pennsylvania’s Marriage Equality Is Here To Stay

Jim Burroway

May 21st, 2014

No appeals, no stay. Pennsylvania Gov Tom Corbett (R), who is facing an uphill climb for re-election later this year, has announced that he will cut his losses in his defense of the state’s marriage laws which prohibited marriage equality for same-sex couples:

I have thoroughly reviewed Judge Jones’ opinion in the Whitewood case. Given the high legal threshold set forth by Judge Jones in this case, the case is extremely unlikely to succeed on appeal. Therefore, after review of the opinion and on the advice of my Commonwealth legal team, I have decided not to appeal Judge Jones’ decision.

As a Roman Catholic, the traditional teaching of my faith has not wavered. I continue to maintain the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. My duties as Governor require that I follow the laws as interpreted by the Courts and make a judgment as to the likelihood of a successful appeal.

Throughout the debate on this important and meaningful issue, I have maintained that Commonwealth officials and agencies would follow the provisions of Pennsylvania’s marriage law unless or until a court says otherwise. The court has spoken, and I will ensure that my administration follows the provisions of Judge Jones’ order with respect for all parties.

It is my hope that as the important issue of same-sex relationships continues to be addressed in our society, that all involved be treated with respect.

Jack

May 21st, 2014

This is a truly an amazingly gracious statement from someone who has never been a friend of the gay community.

He really, really, really wants to be re-elected.

But whatever his reasoning may be…

Thanks Governor Corbett!!!

Ben In Oakland

May 21st, 2014

Amazingly gracious, yes. Still wrong-headed. All he had to do was say “As a Roman Catholic, the traditional teaching of my faith has not wavered. I continue to maintain the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. But I also know that same sex couples who are not Catholic, and those faiths which hold different tenets than mine, are also deserving of equality before the law.”

Sandhorse

May 21st, 2014

This all happend so fast it still hasn’t truely sunk in yet for me yet.

patrick

May 21st, 2014

“It is my hope that as the important issue of same-sex relationships continues to be addressed in our society, that all involved be treated with respect.”

You are not treating people with respect when acting to deny them the same rights you enjoy. The “conversation” is inherently disrespectful.

Timothy Kincaid

May 21st, 2014

Shades of New Mexico. And New Jersey.

As much as the crazy ‘grassroots’ activists in the Republican Party may still want to scream about “traditional marriage”, a good many of the Republican elected officials would really prefer that this all be over with now.

enough already

May 21st, 2014

The hate-driven conservative Christian position really lost the day those poor children were torn from their dying mother, down in Florida.
That was the final nail in the coffin of ‘love the sinner, hate the sin’.
Or, maybe it was Gingerich’s marrying his mistress after telling his wife (near death from cancer, and, yes, I know she recovered).
Or, maybe it was David Vitter.
or maybe it was….
Or all of them. In the end, the face of Christian belief in America has become one of such hatred, animus and malice that even conservative Judges have had it.
The real question now, of course: What does Justice Kennedy think?

Ben M

May 21st, 2014

@Timothy Kincaid – I think your right. I suspect it is the dearest hope that the SCOTUS will rule in our favor on this as soon as possible so that they can make a bit of short-term political hey and then move on.

Some compare it to Roe v. Wade and 10 years ago they might have had a similar impact, but with majority support quickly moving towards equality, I don’t think it is likely to have the same polarizing impact.

Regan DuCasse

May 22nd, 2014

@ Enough already: The anti gay, whether Christian or not, become inevitable hypocrites and contradict their own terms.

There is no moral authority in hypocrisy, no matter how asserted their opinions on gay people.
And eventually, those opinions reach levels of fantasy and impossible standards of conduct NO ONE can reach, or is not required by law in any given free society such as ours.
This is why the defenses against marriage have fallen to dust in court.
NONE of the defenses, singularly or collectively are LEGAL anywhere.

Regardless who it’s directed at, nor can they be BECAUSE of who it’s directed towards.

In debating the anti gay on this, giving the complete and obvious FACTS of this, they make themselves look stupid.
Also proving that one’s religion isn’t much of defense either.

TonyJazzz

May 22nd, 2014

Betting on a real decision by the Roberts court is insane. Last year’s ‘half-of-a-decision’ was typical of a court lacking decency and common sense.

In my lifetime, the Roberts court has been the worst. Most of the court’s decisions have heavily favored increased control of the populace by the rich (especially via the media).

It’s disgusting what moral values this court has shown…. At least many district courts have leaned towards fairness….

Leave A Comment

All comments reflect the opinions of commenters only. They are not necessarily those of anyone associated with Box Turtle Bulletin. Comments are subject to our Comments Policy.

(Required)
(Required, never shared)

PLEASE NOTE: All comments are subject to our Comments Policy.

 

Latest Posts

The Things You Learn from the Internet

"The Intel On This Wasn't 100 Percent"

From Fake News To Real Bullets: This Is The New Normal

NC Gov McCrory Throws In The Towel

Colorado Store Manager Verbally Attacks "Faggot That Voted For Hillary" In Front of 4-Year-Old Son

Associated Press Updates "Alt-Right" Usage Guide

A Challenge for Blue Bubble Democrats

Baptist Churches in Dallas, Austin Expelled Over LGBT-Affirming Stance

Featured Reports

What Are Little Boys Made Of?

In this original BTB Investigation, we unveil the tragic story of Kirk Murphy, a four-year-old boy who was treated for “cross-gender disturbance” in 1970 by a young grad student by the name of George Rekers. This story is a stark reminder that there are severe and damaging consequences when therapists try to ensure that boys will be boys.

Slouching Towards Kampala: Uganda’s Deadly Embrace of Hate

When we first reported on three American anti-gay activists traveling to Kampala for a three-day conference, we had no idea that it would be the first report of a long string of events leading to a proposal to institute the death penalty for LGBT people. But that is exactly what happened. In this report, we review our collection of more than 500 posts to tell the story of one nation’s embrace of hatred toward gay people. This report will be updated continuously as events continue to unfold. Check here for the latest updates.

Paul Cameron’s World

In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote that “[Paul] Cameron’s ‘science’ echoes Nazi Germany.” What the SPLC didn”t know was Cameron doesn’t just “echo” Nazi Germany. He quoted extensively from one of the Final Solution’s architects. This puts his fascination with quarantines, mandatory tattoos, and extermination being a “plausible idea” in a whole new and deeply disturbing light.

From the Inside: Focus on the Family’s “Love Won Out”

On February 10, I attended an all-day “Love Won Out” ex-gay conference in Phoenix, put on by Focus on the Family and Exodus International. In this series of reports, I talk about what I learned there: the people who go to these conferences, the things that they hear, and what this all means for them, their families and for the rest of us.

Prologue: Why I Went To “Love Won Out”
Part 1: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Part 2: Parents Struggle With “No Exceptions”
Part 3: A Whole New Dialect
Part 4: It Depends On How The Meaning of the Word "Change" Changes
Part 5: A Candid Explanation For "Change"

The Heterosexual Agenda: Exposing The Myths

At last, the truth can now be told.

Using the same research methods employed by most anti-gay political pressure groups, we examine the statistics and the case studies that dispel many of the myths about heterosexuality. Download your copy today!

And don‘t miss our companion report, How To Write An Anti-Gay Tract In Fifteen Easy Steps.

Testing The Premise: Are Gays A Threat To Our Children?

Anti-gay activists often charge that gay men and women pose a threat to children. In this report, we explore the supposed connection between homosexuality and child sexual abuse, the conclusions reached by the most knowledgeable professionals in the field, and how anti-gay activists continue to ignore their findings. This has tremendous consequences, not just for gay men and women, but more importantly for the safety of all our children.

Straight From The Source: What the “Dutch Study” Really Says About Gay Couples

Anti-gay activists often cite the “Dutch Study” to claim that gay unions last only about 1½ years and that the these men have an average of eight additional partners per year outside of their steady relationship. In this report, we will take you step by step into the study to see whether the claims are true.

The FRC’s Briefs Are Showing

Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council submitted an Amicus Brief to the Maryland Court of Appeals as that court prepared to consider the issue of gay marriage. We examine just one small section of that brief to reveal the junk science and fraudulent claims of the Family “Research” Council.

Daniel Fetty Doesn’t Count

Daniel FettyThe FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics aren’t as complete as they ought to be, and their report for 2004 was no exception. In fact, their most recent report has quite a few glaring holes. Holes big enough for Daniel Fetty to fall through.