PA Sues To Block County From Recognizing Gay Marriages

Spoil sports

THE STATE has filed a lawsuit against a Montgomery County official for issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Last week, Bruce Hanes, the register of wills, began granting licenses at the county courthouse. The lawsuit, filed yesterday morning by the state Department of Health's chief counsel, asks that the Commonwealth Court immediately force Hanes to "comply with the [Pennsylvania] Marriage Law and to direct the Clerk to immediately cease and desist issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples."

"Compliance with Pennsylvania law by its public officials is a mandatory obligation," the suit states. "Ours is a government of laws, not one of public officials exercising their will as they believe the law should be or will be."