At least one person is taking full advantage of Montgomery County's decision to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
State Sen. Daylin Leach, D-17, is adding to his resume.
The senator, who represents a slice of Delco in Haverford, yesterday presided over a same-sex marriage ceremony at the Talamore Golf Club. Leach is a registered officiant with the Universal LIfe Church. He presided over the marriage of Sarah and Marcia Martinez-Helfman, a local couple who received their license from the Montgomery County Register of Wills last week.
"I am thrilled to have had the opprotunity to officiate the marrage of a wonderful, loving couple," Leach said. "Today's ceremony proves that little by little, we are making strides toward full equality here in Pennsylvania. Each court ruling and each supportive decision made by elected officials puts another crack in the armor of discrimination. Today's ceremony shows that love can indeed conquer all."
Maybe.
Actually it likely will not conquer the controversy that has erupted in Pennsylvania ever since Attorney General Kathleen Kane indicated she would not defend the state's same-sex marriage ban from a legal challenge filed by the ACLU.
Kane's stance followed a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that knocked down the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
In the wake of Kane's stance, Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes decided to start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Only one problem with that. Same-sex marriage is not legal in Pennsylvania. And will not be until the Legislature rewrites the law or a judge overturns the ban.
I have an invitation to Sen. Leach to join us Wednesday night for our 'Live From the Newsroom' show. Delaware County Register of Wills Hugh Donaghue, who has indicated he will follow state law and not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, will be on hand. We'll also will be joined by one of our featured columnists, Christine Flowers.
In case you have not noticed, there is a political overtone to this entire discussion. Kane and Hanes are Democrats. So is Leach. Donaghue and Gov. Tom Corbett, who now has been left holding the bag by his attorney general about who will defend the state position, are Republicans.
Should be an interesting conversation. I hope Leach joins us. Why not take part in the conversation? What is your take on this whole same-sex marriage situation? What question would you have for Leach? Or for Hanes and Donaghue for that matter? Email them to me at editor@delcotimes.com. Then tune in Wednesday night at 7.
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