Good news for Pennsylvania’s lavender set. The state’s Senate yesterday tabled a bill that would have banned gay marriage: The state Senate this evening voted to table a bill that would have amended the state constitution to ban gay marriage.

The main sponsor, Sen. Michael Brubaker, R-Lancaster, said it had become clear to him that the bill would not pass in the House and he therefore saw no point to a lengthy debate in the Senate.

The bill might have passed the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans 29-21.

Up to 14 amendments were planned on the bill, which would have meant a long night. Cheeky politician Vincent Fumo’s no doubt pleased - he … Continued…

Pennsylvania politico Vincent Fumo certainly got cheeky today.

In an attempt to squash a gay marriage amendment, which went to the state’s Senate yesterday, Fumo hopes to add on his own stipulation: [Fumo’s] amendment would “outlaw the dissolution of most marriages in Pennsylvania,” he said in a news release. That would mean there would be few legal ways for the divorce of a married couple, a man and a woman.

Mr. Fumo, who leaves the Senate on Nov. 30, said the stated goal of Senate Bill 1250 is to “protect the sanctity of the marital institution” by defining a legal marriage as only between one man and one woman.

The next logical step, according … Continued…

Liberal democracy just took another hit!

Pennsylvania’s Senatorial Appropriations Committee today voted 18-8 to put a gay marriage amendment to a vote, which will likely happen tomorrow. Many of you are probably thinking, “Wait, doesn’t Pennsylvania already have a law banning same-sex marriage?”

Well, yes; yes, it does, but conservative politicians think that an amendment’s needed to ensure nothing like civil unions can be legalized. Because even pseudo-queer-equality’s yucky!

The amendment reads thus: “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.” Baaarf!
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“Fifty-five percent of [PA voters] saw Obama as the eventual winner of the nomination. Twenty-two percent of Clinton supporters felt Obama would eventually win. But more Obama supporters said they would be satisfied if Clinton won than vice versa. The animosity between the two camps led 16 percent of Obama supporters to say they would vote for Republican John McCain if Clinton were the nominee. Even more Clinton supporters, 26 percent, said they would defect.” [AP]

Hillary Clinton’s campaign lives again!

The Senator from New York tidily won a victory in today’s Pennsylvania primary. Only about 85% of the votes have been counted, but early results give Clinton 55% over rival Barack Obama’s 45%. That’s a ten point victory and more than enough to fuel Clinton’s continuation.

The Democratic candidate made sure to highlight said continuation in her victory speech, telling voters that the “tide is turning.” Some counted me out and said to drop out, but the American people don’t quit. And they deserve a president who doesn’t quit, either.
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Because of you, the tide is turning.
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Hillary Clinton told voters in Pennsylvania last night that her fate’s riding on them: “The last day is here, and the entire world is watching. What’s important today and tomorrow is that we turn out the vote.” [Boston Herald]

Gay Anglican Bishop Gene Robinson popped into rural Pennsylvania last night to sign copies of his new book, In The Eye Of The Storm, about the rift his 2003 ascension caused in the Anglican Communion. While one would anticipate a huge amount of outcry against such a controversial figure, only four protesters showed up. And they were blocked access by a group called Silent Witness, who described themselves as “human spiritual firewall.” [LD News]

All eyes are on Pennsylvania as the Democratic presidential hopefuls make final appeals ahead of tomorrow’s primary. And the candidates are preparing for the best - and the worst.
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton reportedly had to cut a speech short after a “chatty” crowd refused to pay attention. The Senator’s campaign denies said report, saying that the Senator planned on offering a truncated oratory. [HuffPo]

Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey endorsed Barack Obama today. Speaking of Obama, the candidate appears on The View this morning. We saw a clip of him grinning and bearing with Barbara Walters’ advances. Being a politician’s hard. [Reuters]

Hillary Clinton’s getting all sorts of gay love in The Keystone State: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton won the endorsement Monday of the Liberty City Democratic Club, Philadelphia’s largest gay political group.

That boosts her support among gay voters at a time when polls show her ahead of rival presidential contender Barack Obama in Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary set for April 22.
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The Clinton endorsement by the Liberty City gay Democratic group came a few weeks after a gay Pittsburgh group, the Steel City Democrats, also gave its endorsement to Clinton. Philadelphia Gay News publisher Mark Segal said the Clinton’s campaign’s taking the gays “very seriously”. We should hope so!

Election officials are expecting the largest voter turnout in history this year. “November could see the highest turnout of my lifetime… Turnout could be up to as much as 80 percent,” said Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer, who’s older than time. Just kidding, she’s 63 - and looks fab! Meanwhile, the Democrats are tearing it up in Pennsylvania, where they’re winning over and registering a staggering amount of voters. [CBS and CV]

Despite the state’s Defense of Marriage Act, Pennsylvania Senate’s Judiciary Committee decided to pass yet another ban on gay marriage and civil unions today. The superfluous measure passed 10-4 and will now head to the Senate. [Philly]

About 300 high school students signed a petition in Pennsylvania urging administrators to “take a closer look” at anti-gay bullying.

Pittsburg and their tourism bureau are trying their hardest to harness the homo traveler. Someone call our travel agent!