Marriage equality rally being to be held ahead of SCOTUS ruling
A local marriage equality group will hold a rally at 1 p.m. Sunday in Uniontown in support of same-sex marriage and a Supreme Court ruling due later this month.
Marriage Equality for Southwestern PA (ME4SWPA) will hold the demonstration and sidewalk protest in anticipation of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) constitutional ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act as well as a challenge to California’s Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage. The landmark rulings on both could come by the end of June.
“We’re hoping DOMA is struck down and Prop 8 is overturned,” said Paula Johnston, chapter leader.
Signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996, DOMA defined marriage as heterosexual, which in turn prevented same-sex couples from receiving federal marriage benefits, including Social Security benefits and filing joint tax returns.
“My gut tells me they may say Prop 8 is unconstitutional, which would permit same-sex marriage in (California). With DOMA, it may be state specific. The states will be able to keep marriage between heterosexual couples, but states that have approved same-sex marriage will be able to receive the benefits,” said Johnston.
Gay marriage is legal in Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia.
Johnston said the gathering on Sunday will be informal, but she feels the message is important.
“Since the rulings are likely this month, keeping the issue on the minds of Pennsylvanians is important.”
Johnston said the group will gather at the Fayette County Courthouse and proceed down the sidewalk on Main Street with signs and chants in support of same-sex marriage.
ME4SWPA is part of the larger Marriage Equality for PA. The organization’s smaller chapters across the commonwealth are hosting similar events June 8-11. The mother chapter will also host a statewide rally in Harrisburg on June 22 according to Johnston.
Johnston said she feels it is important for the grassroots effort to continue to put pressure on local and state leaders to pass same sex-marriage legislation in Pennsylvania.
“I think a lot of social change has begun and happened at a local level,” said Johnston. “Starting out small, growing and becoming more vocal is the way the change will happen in this state.”
Johnston said by continuing to put pressure on local politicians and going to council meetings and writing letters to leaders, momentum for the cause is gathered.
“Start small for big things,” Johnston said.