Pa. House delays vote on same-sex marriage

Critics of bill cite difficulties it could cause seniors, heirs
After nearly two hours of emotional debate on legislation to prohibit same-sex marriages in Pennsylvania, state House members decided they weren't ready to take a stand on the hot topic, and put off a vote until after the Nov. 2 election.
<snip>
Critics said one little-known provision of the bill would have banned "spousal equivalent relationships," such as civil unions or domestic partnerships sanctioned in other states.
They said it could conceivably affect some heterosexual as well as homosexual couples, especially senior citizens -- for example, elderly widows and widowers who live together without getting married so as not to disturb their finances, wills or health benefits from their first marriages.
<snip>
"Are we saying that if we treat gay people badly enough they'll go away? Or they'll stop being gay? Gay couples will exist in Pennsylvania. They always have," Leach said. "Do we want them going around as second-class citizens without basic rights? This is a horrible message to send."
<snip>
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04148/322650.stm