Gay Marriage Supporters Rally at Montco Courthouse
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Supporters of same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania rallied on the steps of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown this afternoon.
Several dozen members of the community showed up to thank register of wills Bruce Hanes for the bold step he's taken in issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples (see related stories).
They point to a survey that shows more than half of the residents of the Commonwealth say gay marriage should be legalized.
"I think that Montgomery County is setting a precedent that is late in the game," says rally organizer Julie Phillips, "but we're hoping that this is setting the ball rolling. We hope to be the first brave voice to come out."
It's been nearly two weeks since the county started issuing marriage certificates to same-sex couples. More than five dozen licenses have been issued so far, and several of the couples have already married.
The Corbett administration is suing Hanes, saying he's breaking the state law that defines marriage as a union only between a man and a woman.
