Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) praised a federal judge’s ruling Tuesday that overturned Pennsylvania’s ban on gay marriage, paving the way for same-sex couples in the state to wed.
He called it a “critical step toward achieving equal rights for all Pennsylvanians.”
Casey’s statement:
“I’m pleased that the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania today struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. This was the right decision and is a step forward for equality in our Commonwealth and in the Nation. As a U.S. Senator representing Pennsylvania, I have heard from many LGBT Pennsylvanians and their families who want nothing more than equal rights under the law. As one mother from Pennsylvania said in a letter to me:
‘My kids have two proud and loving parents who are honest [and] work hard. I want my kids to know they are equal and our family is equal . . . I just want my family to be treated equally and with respect by my state and federal government.’
I believe this decision is a critical step toward achieving equal rights for all Pennsylvanians.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the state’s Republican senator, Pat Toomey, said the office is not sure he’ll make a statement Tuesday on the ruling.
