Tomorrow will be a very important day for gays and lesbians in Pennsylvania. The House State Government Committee is set to vote on HB 1434, a draconian bill introduced by virulently homophobic Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R) that would define marriage as between one man and one woman in the state constitution. It's not enough that Pennsylvania already bars same-sex marriage by statute through its Defense of Marriage Act. It's not enough that (as anybody who is familiar with Pennsylvania can tell you) the state of Pennsylvania is not even remotely close to legalizing marriage equality or civil unions. At a time when thousands of Pennsylvanians are out of work and really feeling the effects of a poor economy, the state legislature is moving toward writing anti-gay discrimination that is already thoroughly embedded in the state into the constitution. Talk about priorities.
But this legislation is much more far-reaching than just banning marriage equality. It would not only ban same-sex marriage in the state constitution, but it would also bar any type of recognition, including civil unions and domestic partnerships. But that's not all. If the amendment passes, thousands of gay and lesbian Pennsylvanians who currently enjoy domestic partnership benefits through municipalities, state-owned schools, or other facilities would immediately lose their benefits (not to mention their dignity).
Rep. Metcalfe just won't give up on this bill. In 2010, thanks in large part to Republican senators Mary Jo White and Jane Earll, who had more sense than the rest of their party, this bill was killed in committee. Whatever its fate in the senate this year, the battleground is currently this particular house panel, and it's not looking good for equality advocates.
If passed by both houses, it would need to pass again in the next session, and it would then go on the 2013 ballot.
The committee meeting tomorrow is scheduled for 9 AM. If you're close to Harrisburg, consider attending. From the Equality Pennsylvania alert:
Tuesday, March 13 9:00 am. Room G-50, Irvis Office Building (NEXT TO THE CAPITOL BUILDING) (Meet in the Capitol Rotunda at 8:30am.) Please be respectful. However, please come prepared to pack the room. Signs are welcome.
Also, if you're a Pennsylvania resident, please
contact your elected officials and tell them to vote no on this disgusting amendment. And
sign Equality Pennsylvania's petition!
This bill has been defeated three times already. Whatever the outcome of the vote tomorrow, I have confidence that it can be defeated again.