The Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment has been reintroduced by Sen. John Eichelberger (R-Blair) as Senate Bill 707. This bill, which if passed by a majority in two consecutive legislative sessions and ratified by a statewide voter referendum, would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to ensure that marriage in Pennsylvania continues to be the union of one man and one woman.

While Pennsylvania has a  Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), it is vulnerable to re-interpretation by the courts, as has occurred in Iowa and California. Senate Bill 707 is the first step in making sure that does not happen in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Bishops issued “Human Sexuality, Marriage, and Same-Sex Unions” in 1994 to help explain the Church’s understanding of marriage and sexuality. The Pennslvania Bishops say that, “Marriage, as instituted by God and supported by the needs of human nature, is a faithful, exclusive, lifelong union of one man and one woman joined in an intimate communion of life and love.”

In their November 2009 statement, “Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan,” the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops  (USCCB) says, ”It is precisely the difference between man and woman that makes possible this unique communion of persons, the unique partnership of life and love that is marriage. A man and woman united in marriage as  husband and wife serve as a symbol of both life and love in a way that no other relationship of human persons can.”

To date, 16 PA senators have sponsored SB 707. They are:

Sen. Richard Alloway

Sen. Michael Brubaker

Sen. Jake Corman

Sen. John Eichelberger (lead sponsor)

Sen. Edwin Erickson

Sen. Mike Folmer

Sen. John Gordner

Sen. Richard Kasunic

Sen. Bob Mensch

Sen. Raphael Musto

Sen. Jeffrey Piccola

Sen. Robert Robbins

Sen. Joseph Scarnati

Sen. Lloyd Smucker

Sen. Donald White

Sen. Gene Yaw

You can find out how to contact your senator by clicking here. More information regarding the defense of marriage can be found at Pennsylvania For Marriage.

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