Vote On PA Gay Rights Bill Not Likely This Summer

The sponsor of a bill to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation says recent votes for gay marriage in New York, Maine and New Hampshire show the tide is turning, when it comes to support for gay rights.
But Democrat Dan Frankel of Pittsburgh doesn’t think his measure will get a House vote before the summer recess. Frankel says a grassroots effort is underway to convince lawmakers to support House Bill 300, which amends Pennsylvania law to include sexual orientation in the commonwealth’s ant-discrimination statutes.
He says he’s confident the gay rights issue is gaining ground with the majority of Americans and Pennsylvanians.

"When you look at polling about same-sex marriage, there’s a real differential when you look at age. People under the age of 40, don’t think is a particularly tough issue. Many of them don’t understand why we would not support same-sex marriage."

But Frankel’s bill has strong opponents, including Butler County Republican Daryl Metcalfe, who calls it an attempt to legitimize “choices that…are not normal and are sinful.”
"Those individuals who have fought so hard to gain those civil rights really should be insulted by the left, who’s trying to grasp hold of their victories. To use it to advance their own agenda, to use it to advance the homosexual agenda."

But Frankel insists discrimination against gays is akin to bigotry based on race, ethnicity or religion. He says the tide is turning when it comes to gay rights, and predicts gay marriage will be legal in Pennsylvania at some point.