Pennsylvania’s same-sex marriage ban has officially fallen.
Hopes to revive the 1996 law — which defined marriage as an institution between one man and one woman — were dashed Wednesday when Republican Gov. Tom Corbett announced he would not continue the legal battle.
U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III struck down the Keystone State’s ban on same-sex nuptials Tuesday, making Pennsylvania the 19th state and last in the Northeast to embrace marriage equality.
“Given the high legal threshold set forth by Judge Jones in this case, the case is extremely unlikely to succeed on appeal,” said Corbett, who will face off for re-election against Democrat Tom Wolf in November. “Throughout the debate on this important and meaningful issue, I have maintained that commonwealth officials and agencies would follow the provisions of Pennsylvania’s marriage law unless or until a court says otherwise. The court has spoken, and I will ensure that my administration follows the provisions of Judge Jones’ order with respect for all parties.”
Corbett added that his personal opposition to same-sex nuptials has not changed — a position that puts him in the national minority, according to the latest Gallup poll, which found 55% of Americans now in favor of marriage equality.
“As a Roman Catholic, the traditional teaching of my faith has not wavered,” he said. “I continue to maintain the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. My duties as Governor require that I follow the laws as interpreted by the Courts and make a judgment as to the likelihood of a successful appeal.”









