Gay Marriage Laws in Pennsylvania

The current Pennsylvania marriage laws do not allow gay marriage. Pennsylvania gay couples are blocked from being married by the Defense of Marriage Act, otherwise known as DOMA. Right now some anti-gay marriage activists are in an uproar that Pennsylvania may soon allow gay marriage.

Even though there is not even a civil-union law allowing Pennsylvania gay couples to get married, some religious people in the region feel they need to make sure that the gay marriage laws are not passed. The Pennsylvania for Marriage organization is looking to recruit people to protect Pennsylvania marriage from being tainted by Pennsylvania's gay community. They believe in the sanctity of marriage and believe and their religious liberty to protect the sanctity of marriage.

The Pennsylvania for Marriage organization strongly feel marriage should only be between one man and one woman. They believe anything else would damage the state, children, and the meaning of a Pennsylvania marriage. They are looking to block HB 300, which would become part of the Human Relations act. HB 300, if passed, would allow for no gender or sexual orientation discrimination when it comes to Pennsylvania marriage.

They have listed on their web site some of the prominent names that support HB 300 which would allow Pennsylvania gay couples to either marry or form a civil union. They even asked everyone to use their civil action center and contact their local state representatives in an effort to block the Pennsylvania gay movement. Those against gay Pennsylvania marriage are looking to amend the state constitution to completely ban all Pennsylvania gay marriages, civil-unions, or any other type of legal bond that would have the gay couples enjoying the benefits of marriage.

The amendment to the constitution may be added banning gay marriage and unions. Gays argue that the language of the amendment is so sloppy and unclear that it seems as if the amendment would take away rights that gays have now, not regarding marriage. The amendment banning gays from joining together as a married couple is in place in Pennsylvania as it was voted in the senate. If the gay couples would like to form a union they will have to go to a state that will accommodate them.

The state has spoken and claimed that it will not recognize any union or marriage between 2 people of the same gender. Therefore,the forming of any union outside of Pennsylvania will not be valid or recognized under Pennsylvania marriage laws. Any couples that are hoping to claim benefits because they have a union or marriage formed somewhere else, while living in Pennsylvania, will not be granted those benefits.