Reader Poll: Will Same-Sex Marriage be Legal in PA? When?

lgbt pa flagLast week in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court struck down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act which forbade federal recognition of same-sex marriages in the United States. The Court’s ruling in Windsor v. U.S., as well as it’s dismal of the challenge to California’s Prop 8, leaves the decision to adopt same-sex marriages, for the moment, to the states.

Pennsylvania has a state statute which defines marriage as between one man and one woman, but is one of only a handful of states that does not allow same-sex marriage or has a state constitutional amendment prohibiting it.

Soon after the ruling proponents reintroduced a bill to make same-sex marriage legal in Pa., but it faces a steep uphill climb.

The uncertainty and animus over this legal limbo was exacerbated by the controversy that occurred last week when Rep. Brian Sims (D-Phila), who is openly gay, sought to praise the ruling on the House floor only to have Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) object. After Metcalfe accused Sims of rebelling against God, Sims called for Metcalfe to be censured.

Considering where things stand now, when do you believe same-sex marriage will be legal in Pennsylvania?

Will same-sex marriage will be legal in PA? When?


  • Within 5 years (47%)
  • In 5-10 years (28%)
  • In 10-20 years (12%)
  • Never (10%)
  • More than 20 years (5%)

Total Voters: 483

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10 Responses

  1. I have been with my girlfriend for 10years and want nothing more than to marry her. I do not believe that anyone has the right to tell another person who they can and can not love. They want to keep marriage traditional but is it tradition to have polyogamy, infidelity,and divorce? Marriage is about two people who love eachother and want to spend their lives together. I thought we lived in America what happen to equallity all people treated the same. If you were not gay would it be right to tell you you had to marry some one of the same sex? No well its just the same as stopping us from marring the ones we love

  2. While I’d like to believe in the voters of PA to be able to see that the current way marriage is defined in the state is discriminatory and vote in lawmakers who will change it, or a state wide referendum, I’m not holding my breath. However, I do think that the Windsor decision will lead to a case where a state denies benefits to a same-sex couple who were originally married in a different state – leading to a Court ruling that state bans on same sex marriage are in violation of the equal protection statutes of the Constitution.
    Still I’d prefer the people to make the right choice first.

  3. We have to get rid of Corbett. I’d personally throw him a going away party!! I can’t wait to see him voted out of office. Bye bye!! Then Pennsylvania can take a stand on the right side of history with the rest of the northeast and treat all people equally.

  4. Im hoping that PA does get marriage equality. Observationally, this issue is not part
    of the main platform in the central and western parts of the state, for obvious reasons in terms of how it would appeal to voters in those areas I’m guessing?

    The biggest hurdle to me would be people
    like Daryl Metcalfe. His actions in not letting
    Sims speak, and being “the interpreter for God” was absolutely shameful. Regardless of your view on the issue, I think he needs to realize you need to conduct yourself in a respectful manner considerate of others.

  5. This is ridiculous … why can’t we as Americans decide ? Why does it have to be Political Leaders ? We’re putting our fate in other peoples hands … think about it !! This certainly doesn’t have anything to do with this matter, but, think about how this would stimulate our economy !! Hallmark would love it !! It’s such a waste of time deciding if we’ll be “legally allowed to love someone of the same sex !!” So sad !!

  6. This is ridiculous … why can’t we as Americans decide ? Why does it have to be Political Leaders ? We’re putting our fate in other peoples hands … think about it !! This certainly doesn’t have anything to do with this matter, but, think about how this would stimulate our economy !! Hallmark would love it !! It’s such a waste of time deciding if we’ll be “legally allowed to love someone of the same sex !!”

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  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

    Total Voters: 27

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