Pennsylvania same-sex marriage ban is sought

[t0dd]

Philadelphia Inquirer
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/20090519_Same-sex_marriage_ban_is_sought.html

HARRISBURG - A state senator from Blair County says he plans to introduce a measure to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

Republican Sen. John Eichelberger said he would hold a news conference today in Hollidaysburg to announce the bill's introduction.

Similar measures in the last two sessions of the legislature have failed.

Pennsylvania law defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

But Eichelberger and other proponents of the amendment say writing the ban into the constitution would prevent a judge from overturning the law.

Opponents say the measure would enshrine discrimination into the constitution.

Amending the constitution requires approval from both the House and Senate in two consecutive two-year sessions before the measure goes to voters for final approval in a statewide referendum.