“It won’t happen here.” Opponents of a marriage protection amendment and those just reluctant to take up the controversial issue have echoed this phrase throughout the debate in Pennsylvania. They say the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, which became a Pennsylvania law in 1996, is enough to prevent gay marriage in Pennsylvania. But, despite the will of the people DOMA was not enough to prevent gay marriage in California. In May 2008, the California Supreme Court overturned that state’s ban on same sex marriage in a four-to-three decision.
In 2000, more than 61 percent of the voters in California adopted the ballot initiative that explicitly defines the union of a man and a woman as the only valid or recognizable form of marriage in California. A year earlier, the California legislature created domestic partnerships, sometimes called civil unions, which legally recognize same-sex couples. By 2005, California domestic partnerships had been provided all the rights, obligations and responsibilities of heterosexual marriage – except the word “marriage.” The court determined that such a separate and distinct designation for same-sex couples might have the effect of gay individuals and same-sex couples being viewed in some respects as “second-class citizens.” Just three years later, the court concluded that statutes limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples are unconstitutional under California law.
The Defense of Marriage Act is not enough. Civil unions (functional equivalents) are not a compromise; they are merely one court case away from gay marriage. The court decision in California reminds us that marriage can and will be redefined if the people who care about this sacred institution fail to act.
Marriage, that is the union between one man and one woman, has been and still is the foundation of the family. The family, in turn, is the basic unit of society. Thus, marriage is a personal relationship with public significance. We should be doing all that we can to strengthen and support traditional marriage, not allow it to be rendered meaningless by expanding the definition to include something else.
The Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment (Senate Bill 1250) is stalled in the state Senate. Proponents of the bill are working with leaders in the state House of Representatives to ensure that the bill, if passed by the Senate, will get fair consideration in the House. Both chambers must pass the bill for the constitutional amendment process to proceed.
Stalled does not mean the bill is defeated – we can still do something about it. We need to stress to our representatives in the state House that this issue is important and deserves consideration. Contact your state representative. Encourage him or her to ask the House leaders to commit to directing the Marriage Protection Amendment to a committee that will bring the bill up for a vote in a timely manner. It is only fair that this bill be given the consideration it deserves.
Additionally…and maybe as importantly…we must graciously thank the state Senators who supported SB 1250 in committee and behind the scenes. It takes a lot of courage to take a stand on such an emotionally charged issue. Below is a list of Senators in this diocese who acted to support SB 1250. If you live in one of their districts, please visit, call, write or e-mail to thank them for their support and leadership on the marriage amendment.
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PCC Column June 2008 by A.B. Hill, Communications Director of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference – the public affairs arm of Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops and the Catholic dioceses of Pennsylvania.
SENATORS TO THANK FOR SUPPORT OF MARRIAGE PROTECTION AMENDMENT:
SENATE LEADERS
These leaders were responsible for allowing the bill to be considered by the state Senate.
Sen. Joseph Scarnati, President Pro Tempore (also voted “yes” in both Judiciary and Appropriations Committees and sponsored the bill)
Sen. Dominic Pileggi, Majority Leader (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee)
BILL SPONSORS
These Senators sponsored the bill to start the legislative process.
Sen. Michael Brubaker, prime sponsor
Sen. Gib Armstrong (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee)
Sen. Jake Corman (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee)
Sen. John Eichelberger
Sen. Mike Folmer
Sen. John Gordner (also voted “yes” in both Judiciary and Appropriations Committees)
Sen. Richard Kasunic
Sen. Roger Madigan (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee)
Sen. Raphael Musto (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee)
Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (also voted “yes” in Judiciary Committee)
Sen. Terry Punt
Sen. Robert Regola (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee)
Sen. James Rhoades (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee)
Sen. Robert Robbins
Sen. Joseph Scarnati (voted “yes” in both Judiciary and Appropriations Committees and as Majority Leader pushed for its consideration)
Sen. Michael Waugh (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee)
Sen. Robert Wonderling
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE – Voted on March 18, 2008
This was the first step for SB 1250 to become law.
Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, chair (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee)
Sen. John Gordner (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee and sponsored the bill)
Sen. Jane Orie
Sen. Jeff Piccola (also sponsored the bill)
Sen. John Rafferty (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee)
Sen. Joseph Scarnati (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee, sponsored the bill and as Majority Leader pushed for its consideration)
Sen. Lisa Boscola (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee)
Sen. Mike Stack
Sen. Barry Stout (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee)
Sen. Mary Jo White (also voted “yes” in Appropriations Committee)
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE – Voted on May 5, 2008
This was the second step for SB 1250 to become law.
Sen. Gibson Armstrong, chair (also sponsored the bill)
Sen. Robert Tomlinson
Sen. Jake Corman (also sponsored the bill)
Sen. John Gordner (also voted “yes” in Judiciary Committee and sponsored the bill)
Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (also voted “yes” in Judiciary Committee and championed the cause as the chair)
Sen. Roger Madigan (also sponsored the bill)
Sen. Dominic Pileggi (also Majority Leader)
Sen. John Pippy
Sen. John Rafferty (also voted “yes” in Judiciary Committee)
Sen. Bob Regola (also sponsored the bill)
Sen. James Rhoades (also sponsored the bill)
Sen. Joseph Scarnati (also voted “yes” in Judiciary Committee, sponsored the bill and as Majority Leader pushed for its consideration)
Sen. Michael Waugh (also sponsored the bill)
Sen. Mary Jo White (also voted “yes” in Judiciary Committee)
Sen. Lisa Boscola (also voted “yes” in Judiciary Committee)
Sen. Raphael Musto (also sponsored the bill)
Sen. Barry Stout (also voted “yes” in Judiciary Committee)
Sen. John Wozniak
