Renegade Judge Strikes Down Iowa Defense of Marriage Act

Renegade Judge Strikes Down Iowa Defense of Marriage Act
Wake-up Call for Pennsylvania!

For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Michael Geer (717) 545-0600 or cell: (717) 576-1314 or Thomas Shaheen (717) 545-0600

(Harrisburg, August 31, 2007) The Pennsylvania Family Council said a ruling by a county judge in Iowa highlights the urgent need to pass a state constitutional amendment to protect marriage.

"This ruling is the latest wake-up call for Pennsylvania lawmakers, following last fall's New Jersey decision. The question is whether the Legislature will hear the call and act," said Michael Geer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Council. "Protecting marriage should now be front and center for Pennsylvania lawmakers.

"Without a state constitutional amendment, we are but one ruling away from radically re-defining marriage against the will of the people and their elected representatives.

"The Marriage Protection Amendment is the only sure way to make sure we keep marriage what it has always been in the Commonwealth - one man and one woman," said Geer.

Pennsylvania overwhelmingly passed a state Defense of Marriage Act back in 1996, but remains unprotected without constitutional protection.

Unlike most of the 27 other states that have amended their constitutions in recent years, Pennsylvania requires our legislature to act before the people can decide in a referendum. In 2006, the Pennsylvania House of Representative passed a bill by a strong bipartisan vote of 136-61, only to see it get stripped in the Senate.

Pennsylvania citizens won't even have a say in what marriage will mean for future generations unless legislators introduce - and pass - a bill with the Marriage Protection Amendment - before it's too late.

Pennsylvania Family Council is the legislative action arm of the Pennsylvania Family Institute and part of a statewide coalition in support of protecting marriage as the union of one man and one woman through passage of a constitutional amendment.

PENNSYLVANIA FAMILY COUNCIL, 23 North Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17101