by Ian Stone
D. Bruce Hanes"I decided to come down on the right side of history and the law, and was prepared to issue a license to the couple," said Hanes. However, the couple decided not to apply for the license today.
Through their attorney, Michael J. Diamondstein, the couple stated that they "chose not to go forward because they were extremely concerned that the issuance of the marriage license would be challenged on procedural grounds without the courts ever addressing the actual issue of marriage equality."
Hanes sought the advice of his solicitor, Michael Clarke, and the county solicitor, Ray McGarry, in making his decision. He said they "studied every aspect of the law, including recent Supreme Court decisions and statements by the Pennsylvania Attorney General (Kathleen Kane)."
"Had the couple sought the license today," Hanes said, "I would have issued it and wished them all the freedom, independence, happiness and rights that our Commonwealth’s Constitution purports to grant to them."
Earlier this year State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Delaware/Montgomery) introduced Senate Bill 719 which would allow for same sex marriages in Pennsylvania.