Protest Targets Proposed Pennsylvania Gay Marriage Amendment

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/03/031506paAmend.htm

Hundreds of people opposing a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution banning same-sex marriage and possibly civil unions and partner benefits rallied Tuesday at the Capitol.

The state already has legislation preventing gays and lesbians from marrying but supporters of the amendment say it could be overturned in the courts.

Opponents say the proposed amendment say it is so ambiguously worded it could be used to nullify domestic partner benefits for gay and straight couples.

The proposed amendment was filed in the legislature in January and says: "Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this commonwealth, and neither the commonwealth now nor any of its political subdivisions shall create or recognize a legal status identical or substantially equivalent to that of marriage for unmarried individuals."