Pennsylvania legislators meet in the middle to stop anti-gay marriage ban

Pennsylvania residents can breathe easy knowing their legislators are working hard to maintain an atmosphere of equality and inclusion throughout the state.

Although the state doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages, currently an amendment to define the institution of marriage has not passed. Republicans Pat Browne, Jane Earll and Mary Jo White joined five Pennsylvania Democrats in an effort to defeat a measure that would amend the state’s constitution to establish marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

According to OnTopMagazine:

Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. first announced he would sponsor the resolution in May of last year but postponed its introduction until January due to the economy, the conservative lawmaker said.

Eichelberger’s resolution would insert the following language into the state constitution: “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid and recognized as a marriage in this Commonwealth.”

Local equal rights organizations have touted this successful effort at bipartisanship as a victory for their community.

Keystone Progress, a group that opposed the measure, claimed victory after the vote.

“We should celebrate, but we need to remain vigilant,” Michael Morrill said on the group’s blog. “It is unlikely, but it is possible that the bill could come to life again.”