Pennsylvania House passes historic marriage equality legislation

( WJET/WFXP ) – A historic marriage equality legislation has been passed by the Pennsylvania House.

On Tuesday, July 2, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 2269 with a historic 133-68 vote. This passing marks the first time marriage equality legislation has been moved through a chamber of the General Assembly.

HB 2269 amends Title 23 , also known as the Domestic Relations Code, which covers matters concerning marriages, adoptions and other family-related concerns.

The bill reworks the definition of marriage in Pennsylvania law , which previously only recognized marriage as being between a man and a woman. HB 2269 also repeals previous legislation stating that same-sex marriage would be invalid in the Commonwealth.

Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress Preston Heldibridle commented on this historic event.

“This vote affirms that updating the language in our state statute has broad bipartisan support, and embraces the reality that marriage equality is widely backed by Pennsylvanians,” said Heldibridle. “Marriage should be about celebrating a loving union between two adults. Marriage equality is simply the right public policy for Pennsylvania.”

HB 2269 now heads to the Pennsylvania State Senate.

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