Blog for Equality Day

Tomorrow, the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on a bill to amend the state constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman.

The ACLU of PA has this to say about it:

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Senate Bill 707 next Tuesday, March 16, at 11:30am. As you know, SB 707 is the latest incarnation of a state constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage.

Like many controversial, close votes, this could go either way.

It's not hyperbole to say that we have a chance to make history. We have never won an up-or-down vote on the marriage amendment. We've beaten this in the past by winning procedural maneuvers. But now we have that chance. Let's make the most of it.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania already has a law to this effect, but putting it into the state constitution would negate any chances of having the law overturned by the courts.

If you live in Pennsylvania, or know anyone who does, please contact (or ask them to contact) the members of the Judiciary committee and ask them to vote NO on SB707.

Here's some more information on that, from Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents.

Who to call. Call the Harrisburg office (use your cell phone). Email messages are not going to work on this one.

Mary Jo White (717) 787-9684 Butler (part), Clarion, Erie (part), Forest, Venango and Warren (part) Counties

** Special note that Senator White has spoken against this amendment in the past. Please thank her for that and ask her to vote no. This is a vote that can make an impact **

Jane Earll (717) 787-8927 Erie (part) County
Jane Orie (717) 787-6538 Allegheny (part) and Butler (part) Counties

Our friends who always appreciate a thank you.

Jay Costa (717) 787-7683 Allegheny County
Wayne Fontana (717) 787-5300 Allegheny County

This is quite important. Many of the folks in this committee use Facebook, Twitter and so forth. I have a list here. Use social media to spread the word to your friends, family and contacts. Update your FB status.