Politics & Government

PA Sen. Daylin Leach Officiates Gay Marriage Ceremony

"Today's ceremony shows that love can indeed conquer all," Leach said.

In the aftermath of Montgomery County Register of Wills Bruce Hanes' decision to subvert state law and grant same-sex couples marriage licenses, Pennsylvania politicians of all stripes have weighed in on the matter.

“Equality took a step forward in Montgomery County with the decision to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples,” county commissioner Josh Shapiro said, a sentiment that was echoed by fellow commissioner, and Democrat, Leslie Richards.

On the other side of the aisle, some Republicans, led by Gov. Tom Corbett, have expressed unease with Hane's move. "Individual elected officials cannot pick and choose which laws to enforce," said a Corbett's spokesperson

Meanwhile, state Sen. Daylin Leach seems to have staked out a slightly more personal stance on the issue. 

According to Leach's office, the Montgomery County Democrat presided over a same-sex marriage ceremony on Monday at Talamore Golf Club in Ambler. Leach, chair of the LGBT caucus, is a registered officiant with Universal Life Church. 
 
“Today’s ceremony proves that little by little, we are making strides toward full equality here in Pennsylvania. Each court ruling and each supportive decision made by elected officials puts another crack in the armor of discrimination. Today’s ceremony shows that love can indeed conquer all,” the legislator said after officiating the marriage between Sarah and Marcia Martinez-Helfman. 

Leach, according to his office, had plans to perform a second ceremony Monday night.


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