Tag Archives: pennsylvania

By a vote of 14-9, the Pennsylvania House Education Committee has approved Rep. Rick Saccone’s bill which mandates that “In God We Trust” be posted in every public classroom.  Start the clip below at 8:00 as Democratic reps shred Saccone’s reasoning for the bill. All of the Democrats on the committee voted against the bill, but Republicans currently hold a …

In yet another marriage lawsuit in the Keystone State, a lesbian widow is following the lead of Edith Windsor. A Bethlehem woman who legally married her same-sex partner in 2011 in Connecticut is suing to seek equal tax treatment in the wake of her partner’s death last year. Barbara Baus and Cathy Burgi-Rios, who lived together for more than 15 …

The Jeebz has revealed himself yet again, this time on a chain link fence in Pennsylvania. David McFadden hopes it becomes a draw, that pilgrims will flock to the 300 block of Hill Street to witness the leafy embodiment of Christ. “It’s God letting us know his presence is here in York,” said McFadden, 53, a Catholic and a Mason. …

“The citizens of this great Commonwealth should be revolted that a politician such as Rep. Metcalfe is attempting to thwart an independent Attorney General from doing her job by using such a measure. I have never been afraid of or backed down from bullies. In fact, bullies strengthen my resolve to protect those who need it the most – the …

Just in via press release: State Reps. Brian Sims, D-Phila., and Steve McCarter, D-Montgomery/Phila., sponsors of a Pennsylvania marriage-equality bill, called on Gov. Tom Corbett to follow the lead of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in dropping his appeal to legalized same-sex marriages in New Jersey. “Once again, we’re seeing that even conservative Republicans are realizing that all Americans deserve …

Lawyers for Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett have filed a legal brief which claims that he is exempt from being named a defendant in marriage equality lawsuits filed in the federal court system. Gov. Tom Corbett’s legal team argued that the U.S. Constitution provides state officials immunity from being sued in federal court without their consent. The governor’s lawyers contend that …

Pennsylvania state Rep. Rick Saccone, who was elected in the 2010 Tea Party wave, has introduced a bill that mandates placing “In God We Trust” signs in all public school classrooms. Last year Siccone introduced a resolution that declared 2012 to be “The Year Of The Bible” and earlier this year he tried to have April 30th declared to be …

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“I explained that current Pennsylvania statute delineates categories of individuals unable to obtain a marriage license. As an example, I cited siblings as one such category, which is clearly defined in state law. My intent was to provide an example of these categories. My words were not intended to offend anyone. If they did, I apologize.” – Pennsylvania Gov. Tom …

Zack Ford writes at Think Progress: In an interview Friday morning with WHP-TV, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett (R) demonstrated that his own impressions of marriage equality are just as offensive as those of his lawyers that he tried to distance himself in August. Arguing against a county clerk who’d begun issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, they suggested that those …

Towleroad has the transcript of Sims’ speech. An excerpt: “The majority of Pennsylvanians now support marriage equality, and that support continues to grow,” Sims said. “Neighboring states, including New York, Maryland and Delaware, have all decided to be on the right side of history and have granted equal rights to their LGBT citizens. The time has come for Pennsylvania’s legislature …

Back in late June, openly gay Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims announced his plan to introduce a marriage equality bill. That happens today. State Reps. Brian Sims and Steve McCarter, both Philadelphia Democrats, will announce the introduction of the Pennsylvania Marriage Equality Act during a news conference today at 10 a.m. in LOVE Park. Despite staunch opposition from Gov. Corbett …

And now there’s another case heading to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. After mulling it over for nearly a month, the Montgomery County Register of Wills has filed his appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, asking for a reversal of the order handed down from commonwealth court barring him from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. On Sept. 12, Commonwealth Court …

Brown elaborates on NOM’s blog: The story to which Karger is referring is indeed a testament to how religious liberty works – and Fred’s being miffed about it is an ominous indication of what would happen to religious congregations such as this one, which have the right to hire and fire their own clergy personnel, if Karger and other same-sex …

Another day, another Catholic priest arrested. From the Philadelphia Inquirer: District Attorney Seth Williams announced the arrest of Rev. Robert L. Brennan, 75, for allegedly raping an altar boy between 1998 and 2001, while he was assistant pastor at Resurrection of Our Lord parish in Rhawnhurst. The charges came about after a 26-year-old man reportedly encouraged by last year’s trial …

The congregation of a Pennsylvania church has fired Pastor Ken Smeltzer after he officiated at a same-sex wedding in Montgomery County. Smeltzer was pastor for a local Church of the Brethren parish, which he has not identified since performing the marriage, because his beliefs differ from the congregation’s. Smeltzer said Monday that “a few things have to play out” before …

Clip recap: Marriage may return to Pennsylvania, despite a ruling two weeks ago that put licenses on hold. Organizers in North Carolina are mounting a challenge to the state’s marriage ban, but first they need to find a clerk willing to challenge the law. Plus new guidance from the Labor Department means benefit plans must recognize marriages in every single …

The school board of Johnstown, Pennsylvania is refusing to allow a transgender student to run for homecoming king. Via the Associated Press: The Richland School Board didn’t rule on Kasey Caron’s request Monday night, but simply let stand an earlier decision by school administrators, which leaves the 17-year-old senior on the ballot for homecoming queen. “No formal action is required …

McCarter is the bill’s chief co-sponsor with openly gay Rep. Brian Sims. Separate from the legislative action, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett has hired an outside law firm to defend the state against a marriage equality suit filed in July by the ACLU.  And Montgomery County’s attorney is expected to appeal the decision forcing County Clerk Bruce Hanes to stop issuing …