First Same-Sex Marriage License Issued in Pennsylvania

[William769]

Source: The Advocate

Loreen Bloodgood and Alicia Terrizzi have become the first same-sex couple in Pennsylvania to be issued a marriage license, according to CBS Philly.

Despite the fact that a state constitutional amendment forbids same-sex marriage, Montgomery County officials announced earlier this week that they would issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples who showed up at the Register of Wills. Today, the county's register of wills, D. Bruce Hanes, made good on that promise, saying he wanted to come down on the right side of history — and the law.

“We’re no different than anybody else…finally it’s recognized,” Terrizzi told CBS Philly. “It doesn’t make any difference to us. Nothing is going to change, but now we’re going to have a piece of paper so everybody else recognizes.”



Read more: http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2013/07/24/pennsylvania-issues-first-same-sex-marriage-license

---

This is going to be one hell of a fight. May equality win!

[Orrex]

1. Excellent news!

I'm only sorry that my screwed up state has failed to move into the 21st century on marriage equality and so many other issues.

Comgratulations to the happily married couple!

[Heather MC]

11. VA here I feel the same way.

At least in Northern VA it's easy for my Gay friends to hope over to DC MD now for While PA to get Married.

But the Government needs to step aside, and let love rule!

[Aristus]

2. Boy, is THIS going to piss off that gun-humper who hates 'libtards'!

The best revenge is living well, people! Decades of happiness to Pennsylvania's new married couples!

[MotherPetrie]

3. K&R

[Lugnut]

4. I hope this is the first of many more.

Congrats to the happy couple!

Same-sex marriage has widespread support from PA residents according to the polling results I saw last week. There's hope for my Puritanical state.

[bobclark86]

5. Oh noes!!!

The marriage of my aunt and uncle in northern Pennsylvania, as well as the marriages of their daughters, are all DESTROYED!!!

Oh, wait. That's not the word. I meant "unaffected."

[SunSeeker]

6. K & R

[rurallib]

7. Good luck, Loren. Good luck Alicia

Going to take much courage to fight this one out. My best wishes.

[awoke_in_2003]

8. May the snowball keep rolling. nt

[nomorenomore08]

14. Kind of off-topic, really. But good luck to your "uncle" regardless.

[Ruby the Liberal]

10. Confused - how does this work now?

Do they have federal rights now (SS) just not state rights - or is this marriage just grounds for a state suit?

Sorry for the inane questions.

[rug]

12. The ACLU sued Pennsylvania two weeks ago arguing the ban is unconstitutional.

http://www.aclupa.org/pressroom/aclupaacluandhangleyaronch.htm

The Pennsylvania Attorney General, Kathleen Kane, is refusing to defend the state against the lawsuit.

Apparently, the clerk in Montgomery County sees the writing on the wall.

[Ruby the Liberal]

15. This is going to get interesting!

[William769]

13. You think your confused.

With this new found freedom, I would say we are all confused but on the right track.

[Ruby the Liberal]

16. LOL! There is that angle.

Let me put this another way, with an example. If PA's constitution is still DOMA but this county clerk is issuing marriage licenses - does that mean that these couples can get federal benefits like Social Security surviving spouse and IRS Married Filing Joint tax status?

[idwiyo]

17. K&R Congrats and all the best to the couple!