Title
Urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to oppose and defeat Senate Bill No. 1250, which would amend the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to provide that only a union of marriage between a man and a woman shall be legally recognized or valid in Pennsylvania.
Body
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania General Assembly introduced Senate Bill No. 1250, which proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth that would provide, "No union other than a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as marriage or the functional equivalent of marriage by the Commonwealth."; and
WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia decries this proposed legislation, which would constitutionalize the discrimination and marginalization of members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered ("LGBT") community; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth and its municipalities should be working to ensure the equal treatment and rights of all Pennsylvania citizens, regardless of race, color, creed, sexual orientation or gender identity; and
WHEREAS, In a step towards accomplishing that goal, the City of Philadelphia, made it unlawful to discriminate against any person because of sexual orientation or gender identity regarding employment, housing or public accommodations; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of former Mayor Edward G. Rendell, the City extended "equality of treatment with respect to leave and benefits of exempt employees of the Executive and Administrative branch who are members of domestic partnerships"; and
WHEREAS, As a City, Philadelphia has recognized that "[s]ignificant changes in our society have resulted in the creation of diverse living arrangements and family relationships" and that these diverse living arrangements and relationships deserve the protections extended to 'traditional' family structures; and
WHEREAS, The proposed constitutional amendment, Senate Bill No. 1250, would undermin...
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