Now is the Time for Marriage Amendment

A recent survey indicates that 70 percent of Pennsylvanians believe that now is the time for our legislators to deal with the issue of same- sex marriage. Furthermore, the survey indicated that 72 percent wants voters -- not the courts -- to have the final say on whether marriage remains defined as one man and one woman in the Commonwealth.

With the introduction of SB 1250 -- the Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment -- there is hope those voters will get their chance.

Sen. Michael Brubaker, R-Lancaster, along with 16 bi- partisan co-sponsors introduced the Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment legislation this week, kicking off the process of getting the question about marriage on the ballot for Pennsylvania voters.

The Pennsylvania For Marriage coalition, a non- partisan organization dedicated to protecting and preserving marriage in this Commonwealth, praised the senators for taking this important first step to clearly defining marriage as only the union between one man and one woman.

"The goal is simple," said Deborah Hamilton, coalition spokeswoman, "We must protect the definition of marriage as the union between one man and one woman and prevent creation of civil unions or other terms used to give all the legal incidents of marriage under a different name.

"By more than 2 to 1, Pennsylvanians support a Marriage Protection Amendment. Senate Bill 1250 is a critical first step to protecting marriage in Pennsylvania."

To amend the state constitution, the amendment must pass in two consecutive legislative sessions before being placed before the voters as a statewide referendum. The earliest the amendment could take effect is 2009.

For more information, visit www.PA4Marriage.org