Pa. legislators sue Bucks gay couple

[modrepub]

DOYLESTOWN - Legislators who sponsored the state's Defense of Marriage Act have filed a lawsuit against two gay men who sought a marriage license in Bucks County.

When Robert Seneca and Stephen Stahl tried to apply for a marriage license in March at the Bucks County Courthouse, Register of Wills Barbara G. Reilly said she couldn't legally accept an application for a same-sex union. Seneca and Stahl later said they would consider filing a lawsuit appealing her decision.

<snip>

Stahl reacted bitterly to the lawmakers' lawsuit, in which he and Seneca are the defendants.

"This is absurd," he said. "They have a lot of fear. They can sue us, but it's OK. Things will change."

Stahl said he and Seneca hadn't taken steps to challenge the Pennsylvania law because they wanted to wait until after tomorrow - when same-sex unions in Massachusetts become legal - and see whether the Massachusetts law stands up to court tests.


Link: (registration required)

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counties/chester_county/8679447.htm

[northzax]

1. this is what we've come to?

legislators suing their consituents?

[LizW]

2. Huh?

This doesn't make any sense. The couple tried to obtain a marriage license, were denied, and a bunch of people are suing them?

On what grounds? With what standing? What supposed damages?

This is a frivolous harrassment suit, and should be dismissed as such with costs and attorney's fees awarded to the defendants.

[colonel odis]

3. and isn't one of the righties' crusades

the drive to end frivolous lawsuits that clog up our legal system?

[orthogonal]

4. No reg link

No registration required link:
http://www.observer-reporter.com/302610149542525.bsp

Essentially, the opponents want to sue ro have the State law upheld, so that the gay couple can't marry while awaiting appeal if a lower court overturns the law.

[struggle4progress]

5. Do the legislators even have a chance of getting into court?

I thought lawsuits were about real disputes and not about advance rubberstamping.

[OldCurmudgeon]

6. Those legislators...

are objectively guilty of barratry if they go forward with a lawsuit, and I hope that the Bucks couple countersues and asks for punitives and sanctions to be applied.

[BiggJawn]

7. So everything else is just peachy in PA?

Kids are doing well in school? Teachers have all the resources they need? Everyone has a good job, putting plenty of food "on their families"? No Senior is going hungry so they can have their pills?

No?

Then why are they wasting time and money with this friviolity?

Oh, lemme guess, the "Religious RIGHT" (which is NEITHER) is threatening to withold what will amount to a whole 700 votes this fall if they don't sue, right?