Local Senator and Congressional Candidate Marries Gay Couples

State senator and congressional candidate Daylin Leach has been officiating weddings for same-sex couples over the past week, after Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes announced on July 23 that he would issue marriage licenses to gay couples, despite a state ban on the marriages.

Leach, who represents a portion of Montgomery and Delaware counties and is running for Congress in the 13th to replace Alyson Schwartz, officiated the first wedding on July 29.

“I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to officiate the marriage of a wonderful, loving couple this afternoon in Montgomery County,” Leach said after the ceremony. “Today’s ceremony proves that little by little, we are making strides toward full equality here in Pennsylvania.”

The marriage ceremonies continue, though Hanes has been sued by the Pennsylvania Health Department to stop issuing the licenses, citing that “the same-sex couples are left to believe erroneously that they have entered into a valid marriage,” according to Philly.com.

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has yet to rule on the suit from state, and the request from Montgomery County to throw the suit out.

“Each court ruling and each supportive decision made by elected officials puts another crack in the armor of discrimination,” said Leach. 

A registered officiant with the Universal Life Church,  Leach has been a long-time supporter of same-sex marriage; in 2010, he introduced the first bill in the state senate to legalize same-sex marriage.

Leach faces a crowded Democratic primary for 13th Congressional District, which includes portions of Montgomery County and Philadelphia; his opponents include State Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Phila), physician/activist Valerie Arkoosh, and former Congresswoman Marjorie Margolies.