PA Gov. Corbett won’t appeal marriage ruling; PA is 19th marriage state!

Today, May 21, 24 hours after a federal judge struck down Pennsylvania's ban on same-sex couples from marriage, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett announced that he would not appeal the decision. Since Gov. Corbett is not appealing - and Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane has already stated that she would not defend discrimination - this means that Pennsylvania is officially the 19th state with the freedom to marry for same-sex couples!

Gov. Corbett said in a statement:

"I have thoroughly reviewed Judge Jones’ opinion in the Whitewood case. Given the high legal threshold set forth by Judge Jones in this case, the case is extremely unlikely to succeed on appeal. Therefore, after review of the opinion and on the advice of my Commonwealth legal team, I have decided not to appeal Judge Jones’ decision."

Freedom to Marry founder and president Evan Wolfson commented on the news today. He said:

Governor Corbett's decision not to waste taxpayers' money defending the indefensible denial of the freedom to marry even one day longer is the right decision for Pennsylvania, for families, and for the country - and one more big step forward to celebrate. Pennsylvania is showing the country that when gay couples share in the freedom to marry, it's joy, love, security, and happiness and a stronger community for everyone, and no one loses. And this latest decision by a Republican governor not to try to keep gay couples from marrying is additional proof that all of America is ready for the freedom to marry."

In the hours after Judge Jones' ruling came down striking down the ban on marriage for same-sex couples, lawmakers from across the state of Pennsylvania have stepped forward announcing their support and congratulating all of the same-sex couples celebrating this historic day. Here are some great statements from PA legislators celebrating: