Darryl Metcalfe Re-Introduces Anti-Marriage Equality Bill to Record-Low Support

Yesterday, State Representative Darryl Metcalfe re-introduced his hateful House bill, which would amend the state Constitution so that it specifies that “marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife and no other legal union that is treated as marriage … shall be valid or recognized.” In a release he put out yesterday, the representative says:

Pennsylvania does not need to wait for the United States Supreme Court to rule on what natural law already declares as self-evident … Marriage is a sacred bond that can only be fulfilled by one man and one woman, as established by God. Final passage of my legislation will allow state lawmakers to exercise their rightful responsibility and obligation to uphold the rule of law and the will of the people.

Well, the man can prattle on all he wants, because it’s pretty clear that his support systen is fleeting. In the last session, the bill had 40 supporters, but today, according to a rep from Brian Sims’ office, there are only 27. And this is the first time it’s been introduced with zero Democratic backers. To top it off, his bill’s lackluster show of support comes on the heels of yesterday’s announcement that a record number of legislators on both sides of the fence sponsor legislation that ban discrimination against LGBT people in the workplace and housing and public accommodations.

In a press release sent out after Metcalfe’s bill was introduced, Philly State Representative Brian Sims said:

There is perhaps no better indication of how effectively we are moving forward on the advancement of LGBT civil rights in this state than Representative Metcalfe’s bill. He has been trying to codify his personal religious beliefs surrounding LGBT Pennsylvanians since becoming a representative and each session, he receives less and less support. This year, his support has hit an all-time record low and at this rate, in the 2015 session he may be introducing this bill by himself. Ultimately, what matters here is that common sense, decency and compassion are winning the day against cruel attempts to harm Pennsylvania’s families.

Looks like Mr. Metcafle’s fighting one hell of a losing battle. It’s about time you give it up, sir.

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