HARRISBURG, PA — State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) has issued a strong call to action, urging Pennsylvania lawmakers to safeguard marriage equality amid growing concerns about the stability of the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling. The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision guaranteed marriage rights for same-sex couples across the country. However, Kenyatta warns that new legal challenges and dormant state “trigger laws” could jeopardize these protections if Obergefell is overturned.
“Emboldened by President Trump’s executive orders assailing LGBTQ+ rights, states have openly started lawsuits meant to strike Obergefell,” Kenyatta said. “We must learn from the Dobbs decision and protect marriage equality here in Pennsylvania.”
Kenyatta’s concerns parallel the backlash after Roe v. Wade was overturned, activating pre-existing trigger laws in dozens of states that had lingering statutes criminalizing abortion. Similarly, Pennsylvania and other states enacted such measures regarding marriage equality prior to Obergefell. If the ruling were to fall, those laws could take effect, leaving thousands of LGBTQ+ couples legally vulnerable.
“It breaks my heart that 10 years after this historic stride for LGBTQ+ equality, we’re seeing Republican lawmakers across the country introduce legislation meant to reverse decades of fighting and advocacy,” Kenyatta stated, emphasizing the need for preemptive measures.
To address the potential risks, Kenyatta has introduced state-level legislation aimed at enshrining marriage equality in Pennsylvania law, insulating it from any federal overturns. He is urging bipartisan support in the General Assembly to ensure stability for families and prevent a legal and social crisis.
“We need to pass my legislation for Marriage Equality to protect thousands of marriages in Pennsylvania,” he implored. “We need to be proactive in this, not shocked, after Obergefell is struck down. I’m calling on my colleagues in the Pennsylvania Senate: Protect Pennsylvania families by voting for Marriage Equality.”
Kenyatta’s proposal comes as legal challenges targeting LGBTQ+ rights gain momentum in several states, and as national advocates urge lawmakers to strengthen protections for marginalized communities. Whether Pennsylvania legislators take the preemptive step to secure marriage equality remains to be seen, but the urgency of the matter, according to Kenyatta, cannot be overstated.
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