“A win is a win”: PA. Senate tables Bill on gay marriage May 7, 2008

WPHT announced that the state Senate on Tuesday indefinitely tabled a measure that would amend Pennsylvania’s Constitution to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. The bill had been scheduled for a floor vote Tuesday evening, but chief sponsor Sen. Michael Brubaker told colleagues that it would be set aside because it faced long odds in the House.

The bill, had it passed the Senate, was slated to be sent to the State Government Committee, which is headed by Rep. Babette Josephs, a Philadelphia Democrat who opposes the measure.

Because of that, the Senate’s Republican leaders had no assurance that the bill would get a vote in the House at least 90 days before the November general election, the constitutional deadline to keep it alive, Brubaker said.

Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, D-Philadelphia, a vocal opponent of the measure, told reporters that Senate Republican leaders used House opposition as an excuse to table the bill. Fumo said a majority of senators would have supported a floor amendment to strip out wording to ban civil unions, which supporters considered crucial.

”A win is a win,” Fumo said. ”It can look ugly, it can look great. But this is definitely a win.” (full article)

Thanks to everyone who went to the rally, voiced their concern, and contacted their elected officials!