Dem lawmakers rally for marriage equality

IN AN ATTEMPT to turn up the heat on Gov. Corbett, three local Democratic state senators used a news conference yesterday to tout legislation for same-sex marriage, thus courting Democratic voters in advance of the May primary.

State Sens. Larry Farnese, Michael Stack and Daylin Leach gathered in City Hall to push for the passage of two bills - one that would legalize gay marriage and another to create special protections for members of the LGBT community seeking housing and employment opportunities.

While urging the governor to back both bills, the senators said the recent announcement of Corbett's support of a bill banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and identity was "a step in the right direction."

"I'm confident, today, that we have the votes, right now in the state Senate, both Republican and Democrat, to get this bill out," Farnese said.

Stack applauded the governor for his support of the nondiscrimination bill, but said it wasn't enough.

"We want to propose some New Year's resolutions to Gov. Corbett," he said. "We're calling on the governor to put his money where his mouth is by actively lobbying the speaker of the House, the president of the Senate and his fellow party members to call our anti-discrimination and marriage-equality bills to an actual vote."

The news conference in the mayor's reception room served as a good opportunity to gain exposure and TV airtime on an issue that appeals to Democratic primary voters. Two of the senators are seeking higher offices this year. Leach is fundraising for a congressional seat, and Stack is hoping for the nomination for lieutenant governor.