Pennsylvania files a lawsuit against the Montgomery County Clerk of Orphans Court over the issuing of same sex marriage licenses. In the lawsuit the state Health Department petitioned Commonwealth Court to order D. Bruce Hanes, to stop issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples in violation of Pennsylvania law.
Pennsylvania’s Marriage Law defines marriage as between one man and one woman to become husband and wife. Hanes began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples last week on July 23, in defiance of the Marriage Law. Hanes is quoted as saying following the lead of State Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s belief that the Marriage Law is unconstitutional, he decided to come down on the right side of history and law.
Pennsylvania is the only middle Atlantic state that does not recognize or issue same sex marriage licenses or civil unions.