Family Policy Network of Pennsylvania » PA Pro-Family Leader Highlights Need for State Marriage Amendment

THE EFFORT TO PROTECT MARRIAGE IN PENNSYLVANIA BEGINS

(Harrisburg) – The leader of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a state-wide pro-family group, said today that the time is right to begin to work towards traditional marriage protection in Pennsylvania. She stated that it is time for Pennsylvania to join 19 other states in passing a Marriage Protection Amendment to the state Constitution. The AFA of PA commends Representatives Scott Boyd (R-Lancaster), Katie True (R-Lancaster), Tom Yewcic (D-Cambria), Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) and Teresa Forcier (R-Crawford) for being the lead sponsors of H.B.2381 which is named ”A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, providing for marriage.”

“The average Pennsylvanian, as the average American, understands the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. They also are increasingly aware of the need to protect that sacred institution through a constitutional amendment. On January 20, a judge in Maryland declared the state’s Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional. Today is the day for Pennsylvanians to act; therefore we commend the sponsors of the Marriage Protect Amendment for beginning that important process here in Pennsylvania,” commented Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.

In November 2003, the activist State Supreme Court of Massachusetts overstepped its authority and demanded that the Legislative body redefine marriage to include same-sex couples. The attacks continue across the nation as Defense of Marriage Acts are being challenged in many states. Nine homosexual couples challenged Maryland’s Defense of Marriage Act and it was subsequently declared unconstitutional by an activist judge.

Gramley continued, “We cannot wait for a Pennsylvania judge to be given the opportunity to redefine marriage. One man, one woman marriage has been historically recognized as the foundation of society. Children need a mother and a father, not two mommies or two daddies. Deliberately creating motherless or fatherless “families” is not remotely in the interest of our children or that of the community. Such destruction only benefits a particular political agenda. Nearly 200 Pennsylvanians made a trip to support the proposed amendment during today’s 10:00 a.m. news conference and they recognize the need for Pennsylvanians to be given the opportunity to vote on this very important issue. “

The Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment is meant to protect Pennsylvania’s
families and children. Gramley contends that homosexual marriage is not a civil rights issue and points out that leaders in the black community, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, are speaking out concerning what they view as the hijacking of the civil rights movement by homosexual activists. Gramley points out that homosexuals do not face discrimination such as African-Americans did — they do not have to sit at the ‘back of the bus’ and there are no ‘homosexual only’ water fountains.