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Local reaction to same-sex marriage ruling

HARRISBURG, Pa.-– Same-sex marriage is now legal and recognized in all 50 states. “Gay marriage died and now it`s just marriage. It`s the law of the land,” said...

HARRISBURG, Pa.-– Same-sex marriage is now legal and recognized in all 50 states.

“Gay marriage died and now it`s just marriage. It`s the law of the land,” said Philadelphia County State Representative Brian Sims.

Joseph Aponick from the Diocese of Harrisburg disagrees. In a statement the Diocese wrote:

“We fear the Courts decisions redefining marriage and the rights of the States will have a long term corrosive effect on the institution of marriage which is the bedrock of our society.  We pray that marriage between a man and a woman will remain a strong truth in our world”.

Aponick added, “for the church there really only is one marriage and that`s between a man and a woman and that`s procreative and that natural definition is the one that the church will continue to use”.

The church will not perform same sex marriages.

“'The true separation of church and state still applies here and for the state to not mandate what the church does,” said Aponick.

Outside of the church, Democratic State Representatives are excited about the ruling.

“This was a win for civil rights. It was a win for the constitution. It was certainly a win for LGBT people and our allies”, said Representative Brian Sims.

Sims is the first openly gay member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

“Love is love and the opinions of millions of people have been validated,” said Representative Kevin Schreiber.

Despite the ruling representatives here say there is still a lot to be done, for members of the LGBT Community, in Pennsylvania.

“In about 70% of the state you can still get fired for now legally getting married. You can get kicked out of your apartment for doing something that the Supreme Court says you have a constitutional, a fundamental right to do,” said Representative Sims.

“We have to double down our efforts to get an anti-discrimination bill to the Gov/ desk and passed,” said Representative Kevin Schreiber.

Representative Schreiber said today is for celebrating; tomorrow they begin working on the anti-discrimination bill.

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