Republican Governor Tom Corbett apologized Friday in response to a TV interview where he compared same-sex marriage to incest.
Corbett made the comment in response to a question about a statement made by state attorneys in court documents this summer. In the filing, Corbett administration lawyers compared gay and lesbian couples to children, noting that neither may legally marry in Pennsylvania.
“It was an inappropriate analogy, you know,” Corbett said in the TV interview. “I think a much better analogy would have been brother and sister, don’t you?”
Corbett issued a statement on Friday apologizing, explaining his words were not intended to offend anyone.
“I explained that current Pennsylvania statute delineates categories of individuals unable to obtain a marriage license,” Corbett said in a prepared statement. “As an example, I cited siblings as one such category, which is clearly defined in state law. My intent was to provide an example of these categories.”
Corbett’s full statement:
“During a recent interview, I was asked to comment on the ruling by Judge Pellegrini that the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts did not have the power to decide the constitutionality of state laws.
“My words were not intended to offend anyone. If they did, I apologize.
“I explained that current Pennsylvania statute delineates categories of individuals unable to obtain a marriage license. As an example, I cited siblings as one such category, which is clearly defined in state law. My intent was to provide an example of these categories.
”The constitutional question is now before a federal court and that is the venue in which same-sex couples wishing to legally marry have standing to intervene and be heard. Same-sex marriage is an important issue and the question of its legal status is one that will be heard and decided upon its merits, with respect and compassion shown to all sides.”