Dueling Gay Marriage Bills in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania senate will soon be considering opposing pieces of legislation regarding same-sex marriage. Hoping to catch the pro-gay marriage New England momentum, Sen. Daylin Leach is introducing the state’s first bill that would recognize same-sex marriage.

Meanwhile, Sen. John Eichelberger is also preparing to introduce a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage, and consequently prevent court decisions from ruling on the issue, similar to the way it had been done in California and Iowa.

"The timing is right for Pennsylvania to be part of the national discussion," Leach told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I want to make sure the discussion is not lopsided, that gay people know someone is fighting for them."

Eichelberger said that the growing number of states legalizing same-sex marriage, and Leach's bill were reasons to introduce a constitutional amendment.

"There's a sense of urgency to get things done," Eichelberger said. "We see activist courts making these decisions across the country."

Current Pennsylvania law bans same-sex marriage by statute, which could be overturned by the legislature. Previous attempts to outlaw it constitutionally or legalize it have fallen short.